Sustainable Minds LLC, operator of the Product Category Rule (PCR) program based in Cambridge, Mass., has recently released the Utility Pole PCR, a comprehensive life cycle assessment tailored for Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) concerning utility poles made of concrete, composite, steel, or wood. Spearheaded by the American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA), the development of this document involved collaboration among stakeholders representing various pole materials.
Included in the committee were representatives from the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, Slag Cement Association, and Valmont Industries Utility Division, among others. Their collective effort has resulted in the Utility Pole PCR, which empowers manufacturers like Valmont Utility to create ISO 14025-level EPDs for their spun prestressed concrete structures.
Through consensus-building, the committee established protocols for environmental impact assessment and referenced service life standards. By surveying utility pole users, they defined the functional unit of the PCR as a pole with an estimated service life of either 40 or 80 years, aligning with international standards such as ISO 14025 and ISO 21930, as well as American Center for Life Cycle Assessment guidelines.
Drawing on industry standards like ASTM C1089-19 and Canadian Standards Association A14:07, as well as guidance from organizations such as ACMA, the American National Standards Institute, the American Society of Civil Engineers, and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the Utility Pole PCR sets forth criteria for functional performance assessment.
This new rule streamlines the process for producers to generate EPDs for utility poles, providing standardized information on environmental impacts throughout the fabrication and use phases. These declarations are invaluable for infrastructure stakeholders, aiding in material selection and compliance with regulations mandating EPD submissions for federally funded projects.
Key features of the Utility Pole PCR include its inclusive approach, incorporating insights from diverse manufacturing sectors, and its focus on conveying use-phase environmental impacts and benefits in EPDs. ACMA CEO Cindy Squires, Esq., commends the collaborative effort behind the Utility Pole PCR, emphasizing its role in advancing sustainability and transparency within the utility pole manufacturing sector and its potential positive impact on infrastructure development.
