The House Transportation Committee this week held a hearing on Senate Bill 295 (Browne-R-Lehigh) that would limit the time diesel-powered commercial vehicles could idle their engines.

Testifying before the Committee, Rep. Will Gabig (R-Cumberland), who has sponsored House Bill 1113 (Gabig-R-Cumberland) and House Bill 1224 (Gabig) on the same issue, said, "Reports have shown that excessive idling is detrimental to air quality in Pennsylvania and represents a serious threat to the health and well-being of citizens."

He noted that it is estimated that approximately 3,000 long-haul truck loads start their journey each day in Cumberland County and another 3,000 end their trip there with approximately 60,000 commercial loads passing through each day.

Jim Runk, President & CEO of the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association, said his group supports a statewide standard for diesel idling and Senate Bill 295 because it eliminates the need for truckers to become familiar with a patchwork of local anti-idling ordinances.

Thomas Au, Clean Air Board of Central Pennsylvania, said diesel idling at rest stops, truck stops and along highways represents a serious air pollution concern. The Board submitted a petition to the Environmental Quality Board that prompted the Department of Environmental Protection to propose a regulation limiting diesel idling.

Department of Environmental Protection Deputy Secretary for Waste, Air and Radiation Management Thomas Fidler proposed a series of amendments to the bill that would strengthen enforcement options, give the owners of warehouses, truck stops and commercial lots a greater role in ensuring the law would be followed and increase the penalties that could be levied against violators.

"The Department of Environmental Protection fully supports the concept of statewide idling restrictions to limit emissions from diesel-powered commercial vehicles," said Fidler. "However, the department cannot support Senate Bill 295 in its current form and recommends substantive amendments to bring this legislation in line with neighboring states and better protect the public's health."

Fidler recommended three amendments:

· Because the owners and operators of locations where diesel-powered vehicles load, unload and park often share responsibility with vehicle operators for excessive idling, they should also be accountable for causing delays;

· DEP should be given the flexibility to assess civil penalties or fines for idling restrictions under the existing framework of the Air Pollution Control Act; and

· The summary offense fines for violation of Senate Bill 295 should be increased significantly to coincide with the penalties already in place in certain parts of Pennsylvania and neighboring states.

The Environmental Quality Board is currently promulgating regulations to restrict idling under the authority of the Air Pollution Control Act. This proposed rulemaking, like Senate Bill 295, would prohibit the unnecessary idling of diesel-powered commercial vehicles—with certain exceptions—and imposes fines and penalties for violations of idling restrictions.

According to the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, diesel exhaust contains significant levels of small particles, known as fine particulate matter. The fine particles pose a significant health risk because they can pass through the nose and throat and lodge in the lungs, causing lung damage and premature death. The particles can also aggravate conditions such as asthma and bronchitis.

In addition to the three bills mentioned above, Senate Bill 1095 (Vance-R-Cumberland) also sets limits on diesel idling.

For more information, visit DEP’s Diesel Idling webpage.

4/11/2008