New Pa. law sets limits on idling diesel trucks

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/newsflash/index.ssf?/base/news-71/1233982451171200.xml&storylist=penn

New Pa. law sets limits on idling diesel trucks

2/6/2009, 11:48 p.m. EST
The Associated Press

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A brand new Pennsylvania state law limits the length of time that large diesel-fueled commercial trucks can idle.

The law was signed in October by Gov. Ed Rendell and took effect Friday.

The law is designed to cut pollutants such as soot and carbon dioxide that cause breathing difficulties or are believed to contribute to global warming.

State officials say heavy-duty trucks in Pennsylvania annually emit about 3,200 tons of nitrogen oxides, more than 200,000 tons of carbon dioxide, and 65 tons of soot by burning diesel fuel while idling.

…

[Howzit]

1. The article gives the impression that trucks are left idling only for the comfort of the driver

while in the sleeping compartment, or out of laziness.

It is my understanding that the 18-wheelers used for interstate deliveries run for a few million miles before an engine rebuild. A major factor contributing to this long service life is that the engines remain running most of the time between oil changes, required only at 1000 hour or 50,000 mile intervals. Apparently the cost of the fuel wasted though idling is offset by the long engine life, allowing uninterrupted hauling of the goods we can't seem to live without.