- counties have anti-idling laws, and five states specifically target nonroad idling for construction equipment, including Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island and California. The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) provides a free listing of these rules at www.atri-online.org.
Idling Reduction Technology
In addition to behavioral solutions, idling reduction technology can help reduce diesel emissions. This technology can be installed in vehicles, equipment or at a location, such as a parking area. While the initial investment can be costly, you can take advantage of federal tax incentives for installing this technology.
Idling reduction technologies that apply to construction equipment include devices that provide electricity, heat for an engine or environmental controls for a vehicle’s interior. Some idle controls include:
- Fuel-operated heaters and direct-fired heaters can keep a cabin warm or cool by burning fuel from the main engine fuel supply or using a separate fuel reserve.
- Auxiliary power units or generator sets are small engines that provide cooling, heating or electrical power to run accessories.
- Electrification uses electric-powered components to provide heating or cooling without having to idle the main engine. Electric equipment can include on-board equipment, off-board equipment or a combination.
The EPA, along with the Department of Energy (DOE), evaluated the effectiveness and fuel-saving benefits of many idle reduction technologies. Find a list of verified idle reduction technologies, including a link to verified retrofit technologies, at www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/verification/verif-list.htm.
Customer Objectives
Many of your customers will be looking for ways to meet their own environmental objectives. They may expect you to prove you are doing all you can to protect the environment. If you contract with the federal government, the General Services Administration (GSA) writes green language into its contracts. GSA prefers to contract with environmentally-conscious companies for projects. In fact, the agency is currently developing a policy that will require its vendors and contractors to track and report their greenhouse gas emissions relating to the supply of products and services to the federal government.
Idle time is unproductive time. Keeping idling to a minimum can be an advantage your company—you will conserve energy, reduce diesel emissions and save money.
