Turner Construction Makes Progress in Reducing Carbon Footprint of Operations

Turner Construction Company is actively testing new to-market equipment and innovative processes to drive transformational change in construction operations and achieve commitments to reduce its environmental footprint. As part of its commitment to achieving Net Zero Emissions by 2040 across all reporting scopes, the company has taken significant steps, including implementing a pilot on the use of a wide range of low-emission equipment on a data center project, piloting the use of electric and hybrid heavy equipment on various projects, moving toward fully electrifying its fleet of vehicles by 2028 and using zero-carbon cement on a project.

On the data center project, electric and hybrid equipment in the pilot study realized both fuel and electricity savings. For example, they saw a 27% savings with electric temporary heat, and as much as 100% savings for all-electric equipment. Utilizing a propane generator saved 33% total energy use, as propane has less energy per gallon than diesel. Mike Bahr, sustainability manager at Turner said, “We estimate that this pilot avoided more than 100,000 gallons of diesel and 12,000 gallons of gasoline in 2023 alone.” Bahr continued, “There is a significant safety value proposition both for workers and the community. The electric and hybrid equipment vibrates less than diesel and therefore is easier on operators, and tailpipe pollution onsite is eliminated or reduced, which is a great benefit to worker health.”

The company deployed an all-electric tack skid steer on the Gateway Project at the University of California-Berkeley. “As we focus on reducing our carbon footprint, the transition to clean equipment is necessary,” said Manu Garg, project executive, Turner. “In the spirit of innovation, we are piloting the use of electrical equipment. It is thrilling to be a part of that push for a lower-carbon jobsite.”

As part of its program to fully electrify its fleet of vehicles by 2028, the contractor recently received 10 all-electric pickup trucks in Alabama. “The company is working with multiple EV manufacturers to update its fleet nationwide,” said Emily Rogers, business development manager, Turner. “Our teams in the region are excited to put these trucks to work building the future of our communities.”

On a project in the Boston, Massachusetts area, the company used zero-carbon cement produced through a process developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The technology can be fueled by renewable electricity and its processes allow electrons to break the ingredients down at room temperature. David Robb, a Turner preconstruction manager says, “This is a huge step in terms of our embodied carbon reduction goals that we’re striving toward in the future here at Turner.”

The company’s commitment to Net Zero Emissions by 2040 is part of its Building Today to Transform Tomorrow commitment. The steps taken to honor this commitment will help sustain the planet in projects and operations. “We will work with our business partners and clients to influence decisions about the sourcing, resiliency and sustainability of building materials and systems for each project,” said Julia Gisewite, vice president of sustainability, Turner. “We will also protect the environment in our operations by reducing energy, water and waste, while committing to mitigating impact on biodiversity and ecosystems. These steps are just the beginning of our work to increase sustainability in the industry and help protect the planet.”

Image courtesy of Google

Source: https://www.turnerconstruction.com/commitments/esg.