In an effort to create consistent laws across the country, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will host the first state/industry workshops to develop a model state or local idling law for heavy-duty trucks and buses.

About half the country has state or local laws limiting the amount of time a vehicle can idle. Many of these laws differ from state to state creating an inconsistent patchwork of laws which is confusing to truck drivers and fleets. For example, some state laws limit idling to 3, 5, 10, or 30 minutes, and others exempt a truck from the time limit if the temperature is below 10°, 20°, or 32°.

EPA will convene representatives from state air pollution control agencies, trucking associations, truck drivers, environmental organizations and health associations. The goal is to develop a consensus approach to eliminating these inconsistencies.

The workshops will be held in Washington, D.C. over the next few months. Dates will be announced later. For more information about this effort, visit the SmartWay Transport Partnership webpage.

In addition, EPA Region 3 representatives met with Upper Darby School District, Delaware County staff to discuss ways to reduce unnecessary idling of school buses and exposure to diesel exhaust.

School bus idling can be reduced by minimizing morning engine warm-up, turning off engines while waiting for passengers, and posting no-idling signs in the buses and at the school yards. Reducing motor vehicle idling improves air quality, and reduces exposure to toxic pollutants that can cause lung damage and respiratory problems, exacerbate asthma and existing allergies.

The Upper Darby School District is also preparing to retrofit 58 of its buses with diesel particulate filters and diesel oxidation catalysts under the EPA's Clean School Bus USA program.

3/11/2005