Turner Construction is using renewable diesel in pilot programs to demonstrate its effectiveness as a carbon-reduction strategy.
“Renewable diesel is a steppingstone to Turner’s carbon reduction roadmap,” said Abigail Roberts, sustainability job site carbon and water program manager, in a statement. It’s a straightforward switch that requires no change in our existing equipment or the operators’ experience.
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“We hope our positive experience inspires broader adoption,” she said. We will also continue to work with equipment manufacturers as they work to develop more sustainable construction equipment.”
On a project with Yale University on its Science Hill precinct, Turner replaced diesel with R-99 fuel, a cleaner burning alternative to diesel that is made from waste cooking oils. Using renewable diesel aligns with Yale’s climate action strategy to reduce campus emissions to zero no later than 2050, according to Turner. Its integration of renewable diesel demonstrates how cleaner fuel options support the university’s commitment to reducing the environmental impact of its construction and operations.
Sourcing fuel and standardizing its use across regions is critical, according to Turner. Another consideration is the variability in carbon impact depending on the feedstocks used in production, which is being studied. Turner is actively addressing these issues by collaborating with suppliers, testing renewable diesel across diverse project conditions, and working to standardize its use while minimizing cost impacts.
About the Author
Rod Sutton
Sutton served as the editorial lead of Construction Equipment from 2001 through 2025.