States May Adopt EPA Anti-Idling Rule for Construction Equipment

EPA has drafted a model rule on anti-idling for non-road diesel equipment.  Several Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states are reported to be actively considering adopting it once it becomes final, and it could eventually be adopted in other locations.  As drafted, the model rule would limit idling of construction equipment to no more than three (3) consecutive minutes, with limited exceptions. AGC will submit comments on this draft rule in advance of the SEPTEMBER 30 DEADLINE.  Please email Leah Pilconis at pilconisl@agc.org this week with your thoughts and concerns regarding the Model Rule. The draft model rule was written by the Ozone Transport Commission (OTC) Mobile Source Committee, which includes representatives for the OTC states, EPA Regional Offices and EPA headquarters.  The OTC is a multi-state organization created under the Clean Air Act that is responsible for advising EPA on transport issues and for developing and implementing regional solutions to the ground-level ozone problem in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.  Approximately 15 states and dozens of local counties already have laws that restrict the amount of time that vehicles/equipment can idle their main engines (see current list of state and local laws).