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For Immediate
Release
3/29/07
CONTACT:
Lesley Crozier
(717) 787-1349
 
Senator Browne Introduces "Anti-idling" Legislation
Parked trucks would be limited to five minutes per hour
The noise and noxious
exhaust fumes of idling tractor trailers would be significantly reduced in
Pennsylvania under legislation recently introduced by Senator Pat Browne.
"Currently, the
Commonwealth does not have regulations regarding diesel emissions and
idling times and that is something that needs to change immediately,"
Senator Browne said. "Anyone who regularly travels Interstate 78, Route
22, Route 222, Route 309, or any of Pennsylvania's major highways knows
the volume of trucks has increased significantly. That means the number
of trucks idling on the shoulders of those highways and in truck stops
has significantly increased as well.
"That has
resulted in more noise and more pollution. It's no surprise that the air
quality in Pennsylvania's major transit corridors is poor," Senator
Browne continued. "We cannot reduce the number of trucks on our
highways, but Pennsylvania can and must act to limit the noise and
exhaust from idling vehicles."
Senate Bill 295, which is now before the
Senate Transportation Committee, would bar commercial diesel vehicles
from idling for more than five minutes during any 60-minute period. The
time frame would be extended to a maximum of 30 minutes for vehicles
waiting to load or unload at a location under the load/unload site
owner's control.
Any person who violates the provisions of SB
295 would be given a warning ticket on first offense. On subsequent
offenses, violators would face fines of $150, if the person is the
commercial diesel vehicle operator or $500, if the person is the
commercial diesel vehicle owner or the load/unload location owner.
Senator Browne drafted the legislation in
response to concerns from residents living around Midway Manor in
Allentown. But he has since found that the nuisance, health and safety
concerns they raised are being echoed in municipalities across the
Commonwealth.
"I looked into
this problem after I was contacted by a group of individuals who live
directly across the street from a truck stop," Senator Browne said. "I
visited the area and found that they – like many people across the state
– have serious concerns. These residents have to deal with idling
trucks and the resulting noise and air pollution all hours of the day
and night on a regular basis. It is time that the Commonwealth enacted
legislation to regulate these vehicles so residents do not need to be
exposed to the air pollution and noise from these idling trucks."
SB 295 would permit police, fire, ambulance,
public safety, military, other emergency or law enforcement vehicles or
any vehicles being used in an emergency capacity to idle when in an
emergency or training mode, but not for the convenience of the vehicle
operator.
An armored vehicle would also be
specifically exempted from the idling limit when a person remains inside
the vehicle to guard contents or while the vehicle is being loaded or
unloaded.
SB 295 also provides some specific, limited
exemptions for commercial diesel vehicles:
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When stopped because of on-highway
traffic, an official traffic control device or signal, or at the
direction of a law enforcement official.
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When operating defrosters, heaters, air
conditioners, or if equipment is being installed solely to prevent a
safety or health emergency, and not as part of a rest period.
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When the primary propulsion engine idles
for maintenance, servicing, repairing or diagnostic purposes if
idling is required for that activity.
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When part of a Federal or State
inspection, if idling is required as part of the inspection.
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When idling of a primary propulsion
engine is necessary to power work-related mechanical or electrical
operations -- other than propulsion. This exemption would not apply
when idling is done for cabin comfort or to operate non-essential
onboard equipment.
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When due to mechanical difficulties over
which the driver has no control, if the vehicle owner submits the
repair paperwork or product repair verifying that the mechanical
problem has been fixed, by mail to the Department of Transportation
within 30 days of the repair
Senator Browne also included three temporary
exemptions in the legislation. These provisions will expire three years
after a State financial assistance program for idle reduction
technologies or strategies is implemented:
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A passenger bus idling for a maximum of
15 minutes in any 60-minute period to maintain passenger comfort
while non-driver passengers are onboard.
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An occupied vehicle with a sleeper berth
compartment idles for purposes of air conditioning or heating during
a rest or sleep period.
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An occupied vehicle idles for purposes
of air conditioning or heating while waiting to load or unload.
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