The Association of Equipment Management Professionals, an organization for asset management professionals of off-road fleets, this week announced its stance on the proposed Clean Construction Act. Upon request to establish a viewpoint on the bill, AEMP’s Emissions Committee held a meeting with the board of directors to review in detail and discuss. The board of directors made a decision to take a neutral stance on the bill based on AEMP’s mission and its own established initiatives aimed at emissions reductions.

“We feel the responsible course of action is to adhere to what’s in the best interest of our members,” said Stan Orr, CAE, AEMP president and CSO. “AEMP’s own green initiatives are dedicated to emissions reductions and supporting education for equipment professionals to better manage and control this at their discretion. Our members are educated, highly skilled and ethical professionals that understand the environmental issues inherent to our industry. We provide them with the tools to make the best decisions, and thus feel they are qualified and able to effectively manage their fleets.”

Orr pointed to AEMP’s Green Fleet Certification as an initiative that provides for the industry to police itself. “Our industry-wide program was created in an effort to increase public awareness of the industry’s efforts in the way of environmental care, and offer assistance to those taking the steps towards emissions reduction and a greener fleet. The program educates, incentivizes and recognizes individual fleets for their efforts.”

Additionally, AEMP offers a professional, industry-accepted certification program, the Certified Equipment Manager. A core element of the CEM program is environmental training and education. Members are educated on the various methods available to reduce their fleet’s emissions, as well as the cost/benefit analysis of each method.

“Although we certainly support efforts to reduce air pollution, we believe in giving our members the tools and the right to choose the best method to do so,” Orr said. “There is no one, single way to best manage a fleet, but there is a strategy that best fits each unique fleet. With the programs and level of education we offer, our members are able to choose the method that will best fit their fleet and be the most effective.”

AEMP represents fleet professionals working in construction, government, utilities, energy, mining and more. AEMP maintains relationships among manufacturers, users, governmental agencies, educational institutions and others involved in the design and management of heavy equipment. For more information, visit www.aemp.org.