Cleaner air and construction for Portland

Today, Portland adopted “clean air construction standards,” a policy that will bring an end to the dirtiest diesel construction equipment on city-funded projects. They’ll start by restricting idling of heavy-duty diesel engines on construction sites, and move on to require cleaner engines. What great news for everyone who breathes in Portland!

It’s a big deal because 65% of the toxic diesel pollution in the Portland area comes not from trucks, but from non-road engines: construction equipment like backhoes, excavators and lifts.

Diesel is one of Oregon’s worst toxic air pollution problems. In Multnomah County, diesel pollution is on average more than seven times above the state’s health benchmark. In some neighborhoods, it is far worse. Diesel pollution can harm the heart, lungs and brain and have life-long effects on children’s health.

The City listened to air advocates and environmental and social justice groups asking for the cleanest solutions covering the most equipment: 25 horsepower and above. They also built in considerations for small businesses, especially “disadvantaged business enterprises.” Oregon Environmental Council sends its thanks and congratulations to the City, and gratitude to all those who right there with us, speaking up for strong standards.

The new standards are worth celebrating—but they are long overdue. Vastly cleaner engines for both construction equipment and heavy-duty trucks have been available for a decade. And the job isn’t done until Oregonians no longer lose their health, and their lives, to diesel pollution. The health costs of letting old engines continue to pollute is far higher than the cost of retiring old engines.

Next up: Multnomah County is poised to adopt the same policy. Other local jurisdictions are considering the same, and the 2019 legislature will consider statewide clean construction equipment requirements. It’s time to get serious about retiring old, dirty diesel—both construction equipment and heavy-duty trucks and buses—to save lives and ensure better breathing for all.

See Oregon Environmental Council’s dirty diesel report, a neighborhood diesel awareness project in Lents, and our priorities for the 2019 legislative session—including a bill to clean up diesel.

Related Posts
Filter by
Post Page
Transportation Solutions Featured Climate Protection Air Quality Policy OEC News/Updates/Events Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Emerging Leaders Board Toxics-Free Environments Water News OEC Membership
Sort by

Oregon deserves #CleanerCars because #PollutionStinks

  It’s time for you to speak up for #CleanerCars to #StopEPARollbacks. Federal rollbacks are reversing decades of good work to hold automakers accountable. The Trump Administration and the acting leadership at the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Highway Traffic Safety A
August 21, 2018, 9:52 pm
mcadmin

9

Cleaner air and winter warmth

Yes, it’s true: Oregon’s air isn’t always that great. Stagnant air made pa
January 4, 2018, 11:00 pm
jenc

9

Supporter Spotlight: Joel Newman & Soccer Shots Portland

In 2021, Joel Newman and his wife Alice Graham became
May 24, 2023, 3:48 pm
janell

0

ODOT Mega-projects in the Portland area

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has a mega-project wishlist. The top projects on this list are the Abernethy Bridge on I-205, and the Boone Bridge, the Rose Quarter, and the Columbia River Crossing on I-5.  These projects have been waiting for funding for years or even decades. A total price tag for Oregon of at least four billion dollars seems likely, and for that, we’ll receive a few short segments of highways with more la
October 5, 2021, 12:13 pm
saraw

0

Oregon Environmental Council: Andrea Durbin to transition to City of Portland leadership

After 12 years with OEC, Durbin will head the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability
February 22, 2019, 5:32 pm
mcadmin

0

B-Line Sustainable Urban Delivery: Moving Portland Into the Future, Today

B-Line Sustainable Urban Delivery is a company unlike any other operating in the US today. Founded in 2009 by Franklin Jones, the idea for this Portland business came to him as he rode by bike from Japan to Ireland. Traversing continents, Franklin rode through cities of all shapes and sizes, experiencing the varied ways different cultures deliver goods and manage logistics. He saw that many cultures utilize
May 3, 2017, 4:14 pm
devond

0

Portland Leads On Climate – Again!

Scores, labels and ratings — they’re all a regular part of how we communicate information. We consult miles-per-gallon ratings on cars, nutrition labels on food, and Energy Guide labels on appliances to make informed consumer decisions. But consumer labeling for homes have been inconsistent and unavailable in most real estate markets. Not so anymore for the Portland market. Yesterday
December 16, 2016, 12:47 am
devond

0

Regaining Our Green Edge: The Portland Mayoral Debate recap

Oregonian: Portland’s Toxic Air: Mayoral Candidates Debate Better Regulation Mounting concerns about the state’s handling of toxic air pushed Portland’s top mayoral candidates to blast state watchdogs Thursday and pledge better regulation. KOIN: 
March 5, 2016, 1:06 am
mcadmin

0

March 3: Portland Mayoral Debate

Join Us for the 2016 Portland Mayoral Debate: Regaining Our Green Edge, a debate on Portland’s top environmental priorities. PARTICIPATING CANDIDATES Treasurer Ted Wheeler Commissioner Jules Bailey Sarah Iannarone Thursday, March 3, 2016 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. Location: Benson Polytechnic High School (auditorium) 546 NE 12th Ave. Portland, OR 97232 This event is hosted by 
February 24, 2016, 8:32 pm
jenc

0

Portland Addresses Climate Change through Action Plan

With the release of a new 2015 Climate Action Plan, the City of Portland and Multnomah County are giving us a chance to think globally, but act locally. And they want your input on it. The draft plan provides a roadmap for our community to achieve an 80 percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2050, with an interim goal of a 40 percent
March 11, 2015, 2:41 am
devond

0


2 Replies to "Cleaner air and construction for Portland"

  • Mark Taylor
    December 26, 2018 (4:11 am)

    Hello,
    I’m concerned in your desire to help the environment that you I’ll drive down the opportunity for small businesses like mine to continue in the excavating business. I’m concerned the large corporations will be able to financially cover the cost of new equipment, where smaller businesses as mine would be unable to take on such a large cash outlay.
    I imagine the legislation has merit but people own small businesses and they have merit – the value of their asset should not be wiped out in one Government move. I applaud the consideration given to Disadvantaged Businesses, but all small businesses are worthy
    of consideration. Thanks in advance for your thoughtfulness on this economic issue.

    • Admin
      January 2, 2019 (7:45 pm)

      Hello, Mark. Thank you for your comment. We appreciate your concern and believe that a healthy environment, healthy people and healthy economy all go hand in hand. In developing the Clean Air Construction Standard, the local jurisdictions did consider the impacts on certified minority, women, emerging, and small businesses. You can find the ordinance starting on page 15 of Portland’s Sustainable Procurement Policy (https://www.portlandoregon.gov/brfs/article/695574) and see that certified DMWESB or certified SDVB firms may use equipment/vehicles retrofitted with a DPF or DOC. Please note as well that dirty diesel engines harm worker productivity, leading to more sick days, short-term disability, long-term disability, federal family and medical leave, workers’ compensation and impaired performance–all of which cost businesses.