Environmental Implications of Construction Site Energy Use and Electricity Generation1

Abstract

The construction industry is responsible for environmental impacts that include air emissions, waste generation, and the use of land, water, and energy. However, most prior construction research attention has focused on these impacts only for material selection and building operation. The focus here is the environmental and energy implications of the construction process, specifically on-site energy consumption. Existing estimates of energy use and environmental emissions for the industry are tied to large construction vehicles, but other equipment consumes energy in various forms. This research creates a broader boundary for considering the energy use and environmental impacts of engines and vehicles used for construction activities by estimating these effects and comparing them to other national-level impacts. Results indicate that fuel use estimates for construction equipment are almost double the levels suggested by government reports; accordingly, air emission impacts are 30% larger for particulate matter and almost double levels of oxides of nitrogen and volatile organic compounds. Quantitative and qualitative analysis regarding how U.S. diesel engine and fuel regulations could significantly reduce air emissions from construction sites is also provided. If fully implemented, these regulations could initiate the manufacture and use of portable generators that make on-site electricity generation comparable to the electricity grid in terms of air emissions.