“We are a construction company and our goal is to build sustainably. Neste MY Renewable Diesel offers a way to do that.”

Building California's Sustainable Foundations: How Power Engineering is Reducing its Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions with Neste MY Renewable Diesel

From heavy-civil and marine construction to commercial diving and design-build solutions, Power Engineering has been laying foundations for change in California since 1986. With a legacy of successfully delivering some of the most complex construction and restoration projects on the West Coast, they've carved their name in the landscapes of California. But amidst their track record of success lies a deeper commitment—one to responsibility and sustainability.

Recognizing the significance of preserving the natural beauty of the West Coast while upgrading its infrastructure, Power Engineering is dedicated to building a more sustainable future for California, starting with the foundation of their operations: fuel. Power Engineering transitioned its entire harbor craft marine fuel supply and land-based equipment fleet to run on Neste MY Renewable Diesel, reducing their GHG emissions and enhancing operations with no downtime. Driven by a vision to build not just for today, but for generations to come, Power Engineering has not only ensured compliance with dynamic regulations but has also taken proactive steps towards reducing its carbon footprint and fighting climate change.

Three challenges faced by Power Engineering

1. Seamless transition with zero downtime or financial impacts to operations, even in isolated and remote project locations
2. A solution with immediate availability and no efficiency drawbacks 
3. Maintain compliance with state clean energy regulations while reducing GHG emissions from operations

It is important to me that we build responsibly. And I think any effort we can make today is something we should do.

Wayne Stonecipher, Operations Manager

Solution

Power Engineering has been a cornerstone of California's construction landscape since 1986, shaping approximately 75% of San Francisco's piers and poised for further expansion along the Pacific coast. As the company aims to grow its construction footprint, they are equally committed to reducing their carbon footprint.

With stringent permit restrictions varying based on wildlife preservation concerns, such as fish spawning seasons and nesting birds, Power Engineering works in harmony with California's environment by design and is dedicated to building responsibly to preserve the cities they live and operate in.
 
While California pushes for electrification of vehicles, Power Engineering faces the reality that full electrification is not yet feasible, particularly with the remote project sites they operate in.
 
"Most other changes that California is pushing are, you know, cleaner burning engines. All of those have massive financial impacts, months of downtime, trying to get these engines installed. It really affects our overall operation,” says Operations Manager, Wayne Stonecipher.
 
Despite the challenges posed by California's dynamic clean-energy regulations, which sometimes result in the premature retirement of otherwise viable equipment, Power Engineering remains committed to its role in the fight against climate change, seeking sustainable solutions that will not disrupt operations or impose a financial burden.
 
In February 2023, Power Engineering took a significant step in the fight against climate change by transitioning its harbor craft marine fuel supply through Diesel Direct to Neste MY Renewable Diesel, a solution available today that offers immediate sustainability benefits. Following a seamless transition with zero downtime or costs to switch, the company decided to go one step further, converting its entire land-based equipment fleet to run on renewable diesel and ensuring compliance with new California Air Resources Board (CARB) Off-Road regulations.
 
With Neste MY Renewable Diesel, Power Engineering reduced GHG emissions by up to 470 tons* in 2023, which is equal to the emissions from more than 1,000 passengers flying from Amsterdam to San Francisco**.
 
Rooted in familial values, Power Engineering operates as a tight-knit family unit, driven by the collective desire to leave a positive impact on their community and the environment. Their commitment to sustainability extends far beyond surface-level changes. As a company that often builds unseen substructures, they understand that strong foundations can have a large impact. Just as the substructure supports a building, powering equipment with renewable diesel serves as a crucial building block toward a brighter, cleaner future.
 

*Lifecycle greenhouse gas emission reductions compared to fossil diesel and based on current feedstock pathways. Calculation method complies with the LCFS CA-GREET 3.0. **ICAO, economy