Unnecessary Commercial Vehicle Idling Saves Jobs, Lives and Money

 

By Supervisor Brett Hulsey

 

Today I joined 16 other members of the Wisconsin Clean Diesel Coalition to call on the State Senate to strengthen the Clean Energy Jobs Act (SB 450, AB 649) to reduce unnecessary commercial vehicle idling. We supported stronger language after a yearlong discussion following my proposed Dane County diesel unnecessary idling ban.

 

Stronger statewide commercial unnecessary idling ban will create jobs and reduce fuel costs, while protecting the safety of truck drivers and emergency equipment operators.

 

The letter was signed by a diverse group from all over the state including the Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association, Wisconsin Motor Carriers, Associated General Contractors of Wisconsin, Dane County, American Lung Association in WI, Inland Power Group, Associated Builders & Contractors of Wisconsin, Brooks Tractor Inc., Wisconsin Grocers Association, Antigo Construction, Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Assn., Inc., Capitol Underground Inc., WI Engine Manufacturers and Distributors Alliance, Transport Refrigeration Inc., Miller-Bradford & Risberg, Inc., Leonardo Academy, and Wisconsin Kenworth Madison.

 

Our proposal is stronger than the current bill and Global Warming Taskforce language by:

 

1. Covering commercial gasoline and diesel engines, both large sources of emissions;
   
2. Covering commercial on-road and off-road vehicles, both large sources;
   
3. Having fair exemptions to protect the health and safety of drivers and operators; and 
   
4. Was created by the industries that will be impacted, ensuring higher compliance. 
   

 

"We urge the Legislature to adopt this language negotiated with the members of the environmental community and the regulated industries who know effective ways to significantly reduce emissions including not only greenhouse gases but NOx and particulate matter," said Tom Walker of the Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association. "We can continue to clean our air, keep our transportation building jobs going, and save money at the same time."

 

Twenty other states, including Illinois, California, and Arizona regulate idling with exceptions based on weather, sleeping and rest, reasonable operation, and emergency vehicle use. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates trucks in the United States consume more than 800 million gallons of diesel while idling, costing more than $2 billion each year.

 

"Those of us in the trucking industry support this because we can save fuel and reduce emissions at the same time, not jeopardize driver safety and comfort, and avoid a patchwork of local measures," said Tom Howells of the Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association. "This is the right thing to do and the right time to do it."

 

The Clean Air Task Force estimates that idling reduction and other clean diesel measures could save 100,000 lives over the next 20 years in reduced air pollution levels.

 

"This stronger clean diesel language is one of the best ways to keep kids safe and reduce asthma attacks caused by school bus exhaust," said Dona Wininisky of the American Lung Association in Wisconsin. "I commend Supervisor Hulsey and all the Wisconsin Clean Diesel Coalition members who signed on to support cleaner air and healthier schools and buses."

 

I worked with one Madison grocery store and mall to go idle free last year working with Hill Farms Neighborhood leaders.

 

"The Wisconsin Grocers Association supports reasonable idling reductions because we know it helps manage grocers' expenses, reduced emissions, and helps us keep down the increase in food costs which helps consumers," said Brandon Scholz, president of the WGA. "Metcalfe's Market and Hilldale Mall in Madison were one of the first grocers and malls in the nation to put idling limits in place last year and it has been good for the store and neighborhood."

 

Wisconsin leads the nation in clean diesel technology manufacturers with Cummins Emission Solutions, Universal Silencer, Combustion Catalytic, Idle Free Systems and many other clean diesel and idling reduction technology makers based here.

 

Reducing unneeded engine idling also creates good jobs right here in Wisconsin since we have more companies building clean diesel and idling reduction technologies than any other state and this measure will help us create more good jobs right here.

 

Wisconsinites also spend $21.5 billion a year importing diesel, gasoline, and other fossil fuels so cutting unnecessary commercial idling keeps money in the state that creates jobs also.

 

Hopefully the legislature will listen and adopt this measure to reduce unnecessary commercial idling. That will clear the air for us all.