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AGC and Clean Air Task Force Reach Landmark Accord, Call for Diesel Cleanup in Federally-Funded Transportation Projects

Yesterday, AGC of America and the Clean Air Task Force (CATF) announced that the two organizations have agreed on principles to require reductions in diesel emissions from federally-funded transportation projects via contract change orders that cover 100 percent of the costs to retrofit equipment.  CATF represents leading environmental groups and targets diesel emissions reductions nationwide.  Under the set of "Clean Construction Principles," states would first require successful bidders for federally-funded transportation projects to identify the off-road diesel equipment they plan to use on designated projects.  States would give priority to projects located in areas with poor air quality.  After exploring EPA-approved options for reducing diesel emissions, states would issue change orders requiring contractors to pursue the best of those options.   The change orders would entitle contractors to recover 100 percent of their costs.  AGC and CATF have been working with Congressman John Hall (D-N.Y.) to turn these principles into a legislative proposal that the Congressman will pursue as an amendment to the surface transportation reauthorization bill.  Funding to cover the cost of the change orders would be designated in the bill.  A copy of the "Clean Construction Principles" agreement and AGC's press release are posted to the AGC web site.