The North Carolina Division of Division of Air Quality has been granted funds by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to combat idling
in the state. The state has allocated $1.73 Million to reduce emissions from diesel engines and has set aside $517,500 to give out in the form of rebates on some new equipment. (more…)
The recovery act is working overtime against idling…now in North Carolina.
Thursday, October 15th, 2009The Philly hotline to snitch on idling engines is now “official”…
Wednesday, October 14th, 2009We reported on it a few days ago, but I guess the idlefreephilly.org hotline wasn’t official yet. Well, yesterday the Clean Air Council did the unveiling of the hotline. Here is a story from the Philadelphia Inquirer about it…
Recovery act gets more money to Wisconsin businesses for idle reduction devices.
Wednesday, October 14th, 2009
Here is the press release from the state of Wisconsin dated 9/21…
Governor Doyle Announces $2 million to Reduce Diesel Truck Emissions, Save Fuel
For Immediate Release: September 21, 2009
Contact: Tony Hozeny, Department of Commerce, 608-267-9661
Carla Vigue, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2162
American Recovery and Reinvestment Funds Benefit Wisconsin
MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle today announced that Wisconsin will receive $2 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Funding to reduce diesel emissions and save fuel. The Wisconsin Department of Commerce (Commerce) will administer the funds. The recipients of these grants will use the funding to purchase diesel truck idling devices, which will help to reduce fuel consumption and air pollution from heavy-duty diesel truck-tractor engines. (more…)
Modifications to anti idle regs on the way in Massachusetts?
Monday, October 12th, 2009
Representative Paul Rajkovacz has proposed a new regulation to modify idling limits within the state. Presently idling laws (pdf) allow only 5 minutes in any 60 minute period with a few exceptions.
The new law (3641) would allow that;
- An occupied vehicle with a sleeper berth compartment idles for purposes of air conditioning or heating during rest or sleep period
- no load/unload location owner shall cause vehicles to idle for a period greater than 30 minutes while waiting to load or unload at a location under their control
- Operating an auxiliary power unit, generator set, or other mobile idle reduction technology as a means to heat, air condition, or provide electrical power as an alternative to idling the main engine is not an idling engine.
Another proposal (3334) would allow a 400 pound exception to the 80,000 pound limit. States were already granted this authority by the federal government in 2005.
The EPA spreads it’s love to the most efficient trucking companies.
Sunday, October 11th, 2009On October 6th the EPA’s SmartWay program recognized some carriers and shippers for their dedication to cleaning up our environment. The 2009 SmartWay Excellence Award Winners included the following carriers;
Bison Transport Inc.
C.R. England, Inc.
Celadon Trucking Services Inc.
Challenger Motor Freight Inc.
Covenant Transport, Inc.
Gordon Trucking Inc.
J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.
Knight Transportation, Inc.
Anti-idling’s newest tool…crowdsourcing.
Sunday, October 11th, 2009
Anti idle sign.
If you are laying over in Philadelphia anytime soon, it’s not just the government that you have to look out for if you plan to idle. A Natural Day, a blog about all things green in Philly, is encouraging readers to report you at IdleFreePhilly.
I can certainly understand the reasoning behind their mission, clean air is a wonderful thing, but I dread what they will be focusing on after we all stop idling the main truck engine. Can your APU be much further down on their list than your main engine?
