United Rentals has released a white paper on clean construction regulations entitled “Clean Construction: A Guide for the Construction Industry and Policy Makers.” The white paper serves as an essential guide for the construction industry as it faces environmental regulations, including: air quality and health concerns around diesel emissions; greenhouse gas emissions; direct site impacts to water quality/habitat; and community disturbance from noise, dust and traffic.

The paper profiles eight policies that have already impacted the way contractors and equipment owners conduct business, including California’s off-road diesel program and policies in New York, Illinois and Texas.

The document is also intended as a resource for municipal, city and state governments considering diesel emission regulations. It assesses the strengths and limitations of existing policies and provides actionable recommendations for policy makers drafting clean construction legislation in their jurisdictions.

“As the leader in the equipment rental industry, United Rentals is committed to providing our customers with the equipment and expertise needed to meet any sustainability goal or jobsite requirement in this changing regulatory environment,” said Heidi Rawe, senior director of sustainability for United Rentals. “We value the opportunity to work with regulators to promote effective regulations that meet industry needs and incorporate lessons learned to date.”

The company is also taking proactive steps to measure, track and reduce its own environmental impacts, including a recent carbon footprint assessment, facility-level energy audits and lighting upgrades.

“Clean Construction: A Guide for Contractors and Policy Makers” is the third in a series of white papers on issues of importance to the construction and rental industries, their customers, and the regulatory community. The paper is available at no charge and can be downloaded or printed from the company’s website at www.ur.com.

Based in Greenwich, Conn., United Rentals is No. 1 on the RER 100.