HEAVY-DUTY TRUCKS MUST REDUCE IDLING UNDER NEW RULE

RALEIGH - Operators of heavy-duty trucks must reduce unnecessary idling to help improve air quality in North Carolina, under a new rule that took effect this week.

The state Environmental Management Commission adopted the rule in July 2009, but its effective date was delayed until the end of the 2010 session of the General Assembly. The EMC adopted the rule as part of the state's efforts to reduce air pollution in order to meet more stringent federal air quality standards. The rule applies to on-road gasoline and diesel-powered motor vehicles with a loaded weight greater than 10,000 pounds.

Under the rule, operators should not idle their vehicles more than five consecutive minutes in any 60-minute period except for instances dealing with safety, health and economic concerns. For example, trucks and buses can idle if necessary to perform essential functions such as refrigerating, hoisting, loading and responding to emergencies. The rule also exempts farm and military trucks.

"Exhaust from idling trucks is a significant source of air pollution that we can't ignore," said Sheila Holman, director of the N.C. Division of Air Quality. "The idle rule will help improve air quality while conserving large amounts of fuel."

The state Division of Air Quality estimates the rule will reduce nitrogen oxide, or NOx, emissions, the primary cause of ozone in North Carolina, by up to 1,300 tons per year. In comparison, two coal-fired power plant units in the Asheville area emitted 485 tons of NOx in 2007.

Although complying with the idle rule may involve some costs or inconveniences for truckers, those costs should be more than offset by fuel savings, in addition to the improvements in air quality. The Division of Air Quality estimates the idle rule will save up to 9 million gallons of fuel per year overall. The rule also could reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, the most common greenhouse gas, by as much as 100,000 tons per year.

Many truckers idle their trucks to provide power for air conditioners, refrigerators and other equipment while stopping to rest. However, truckers can avoid such idling by resting at truck stops that provide electricity and other services or by installing auxiliary power units, or APUs, to provide their own electricity.

Even though APUs can cost as much as $10,000 to install in a truck, the Division of Air Quality estimates that the fuel and wear-and-tear savings from reduced idling would offset those costs in about one to two years for most trucks, depending on fuel costs. In addition, the Division of Air Quality is offering rebates to some truckers who install APUs in their vehicles. Information about APU rebates can be found at this page on the division's website: http://www.ncair.org/motor/Rebates/.

In addition to the idle rule, the state Division of Air Quality started a public awareness effort to reduce unnecessary idling voluntarily for cars and trucks. As part of that effort, the state agency is distributing free signs that urge drivers to reduce idling at schools and other areas. More information about the idle reduction program can be found at the following link on the division's website, www.ncair.org/motor/idle.

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