The Los Angeles Metro Board of Directors voted Aug. 4 to adopt a Green Construction Policy. Under this policy, the agency must identify and mitigate the impact of emissions on human health, the environment, and climate for on-road and off-road construction and equipment used by Metro.

Metro is one of the first transit agencies in the country to institute such a comprehensive policy aimed at reducing harmful emissions from construction equipment used in the course of the agency’s transportation projects.

“The board’s adoption of Metro’s Green Construction Policy will go a long way towards reducing emissions during the course of constructing a host of vital transportation improvement projects planned for the region,” said Metro Chief Executive Officer Art Leahy. “It solidifies Metro’s commitment in being a transportation industry leader in sustainability practices,” he added.

The policy will be incorporated into the requirements of all future procurement contracts, but is not retroactive. Metro will phase it in through a collaborative process and will develop a technical assistance program to provide needed support to local jurisdictions as they implement it.