EPA targets 22 states that don’t meet particulate matter rules
Officials in 22 states have been warned by the EPA some of their counties are not in compliance with federal rules regarding particulate matter pollution.
State and local governments have three years to develop plans to reduce the pollutants in the “nonattainment” areas. Federal officials have previously said failure to meet the standards could lead to a number of consequences, including loss of highway funds.
The announcement, released June 29 by the Environmental Protection Agency, is part of the agency’s enforcement of the nation’s first fine particle air quality standard, called PM2.5. The standard covers microscopic particles in the air produced by truck and other diesel engines, as well as power plants, factories, cars and other fuel-burning sources.
“Fine-particle pollution represents one of the most significant barriers to clean air facing our nation today,” EPA Administrator Mike Leavitt said in a statement. “These new particulate health standards, coupled with our efforts to reduce power plant and diesel emissions, are important steps toward meeting our nation’s commitment to clean, healthy air.”
Areas that do not meet the standards fall mostly in the eastern and western parts of the United States, usually around urban centers. For example, areas around New York City, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Los Angeles are not in compliance, while all of EPA region 6, which includes Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana, is in compliance. In Illinois, the rural center of the state is in compliance, while the areas near Chicago and across the river from St. Louis are not.
EPA officials said in a statement that diesel engine regulations and new low-sulfur fuel formulas that go into effect in 2007 would help reduce the soot problem. Other, new efforts are targeting emissions by off-road diesel equipment.
However, the EPA has also developed a Voluntary Diesel Retrofit Program designed to encourage improvements to current diesel engines that would reduce the amount of soot they produce. The effort is primarily aimed at fleet operators and air quality planners in state and local governments.
The agency has also awarded grants to two states to develop diesel-emission-reduction programs. Oregon — all of which is in compliance — will receive a $100,000 grant to test ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel in off-road equipment and heavy-duty highway vehicles. Chattanooga, TN, will receive a $100,000 grant to test exhaust pollution-reduction equipment on buses.
But not all of the action has been federal. Several states have already taken actions to curb both particulate matter and other pollutants, such as ozone.
New York has some of the strictest truck idling regulations in the nation. And New Jersey recently announced it would begin enforcement of a three-minute idling rule. Ten counties in New Jersey do not meet the regulations, while five in New York are out of compliance.
Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen signed legislation June 8 giving the Tennessee Air Board power to require counties to conduct vehicle exhaust inspections by mid-2005. The inspections would be required before vehicle owners could renew vehicle registrations. Tennessee has three counties that fail to comply with the rules, all in the eastern section along the Appalachian Mountains.
In addition, Tennessee’s Air Pollution Control Board recommended earlier this year that the state reduce the maximum speed for semis to 55 mph, down from 70 mph, to reduce pollution. The recommendation also suggested banning truck drivers from idling engines for long periods and requiring companies with government contracts to use clean-engine technology and fuel additives for heavy-duty equipment.
— by Mark H. Reddig, associate editor
Mark Reddig can be reached at mark_reddig@landlinemag.com.
New Jersey steps up enforcement of vehicle idling restrictions The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has stepped up enforcement efforts of its anti-idling laws for long-haul trucks. The state is responding to a warning from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that 10 counties are not in compliance with federal rules regarding particulate matter pollution. State and local governments have been given three years to develop plans to reduce the pollutants in the “nonattainment” areas. Federal officials have previously said failure to meet the standards could lead to a number of consequences, including loss of highway funds. New Jersey law prohibits idling for more than three consecutive minutes when a vehicle is stopped, but does not apply to trucks in traffic. Fines start at $200 a day for vehicle operators and property owners, with enforcement carried out by Department of Environmental Protection inspectors statewide. According to the agency, inspectors are targeting venues where diesel-powered vehicles rest, from fuel stops and warehouse distribution centers to loading areas. The agency said it would also respond “aggressively” to resident complaints with the help of local environmental health agencies throughout the state. Ed Stoney, a truck driver and OOIDA life member from Cliffwood, NJ, told Land Line he has yet to notice an increase in enforcement. Stoney said he is sure, however, the state will continue to seek out idling trucks in an effort to generate additional revenue. “They are looking for the money, honey,” he scoffed. “They always look to truckers because we’re millionaires, you know.” The provision does provide exceptions for a truck to idle at the driver’s home base for up to 30 consecutive minutes, but the truck can idle for that long only “when deemed absolutely necessary.” Otherwise, a truck at the driver’s home base may idle for only up to 15 minutes if the vehicle engine has been stopped for at least three hours. The agency recommends drivers adopt a no-idling policy. In part, the Department of Environmental Protection said, it will save drivers money and protect their health. Stoney said truckers who insist on idling have limited alternatives to avoid drawing inspectors’ attention. He suggested truckers add a generator — if they have a few thousand dollars burning a hole in their pockets — or simply stop idling. “With the cost of fuel these days, just save your money,” he said. —by Keith Goble, state legislative editor Keith Goble can be reached at keith_goble@landlinemag.com. |
