  |
|
|
Department of Ecology Press Release - October 10, 2005
05-251
OLYMPIA - Truckers will soon be able to plug in to environmentally-friendly sources of power at truck stops in Washington, saving them money and reducing harmful diesel emissions from idling engines.
The federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded the Department of Ecology (Ecology) a grant to fund Truck Electrified Parking, or TEP, at three truck stops across the state. State and private money, including funds from the Climate Trust of Oregon, a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing greenhouse gases, will also support the project.
The money will be used to establish 75 electrified parking spaces at three commercial truck stops in Washington. Shurepower, LLC, a TEP technology provider, will install the pedestals and provide the service. Truckers will be able to plug in to the electric service for around $1 an hour, as opposed to $3 for a gallon of diesel, the amount they would typically burn while idling for an hour. Electrified spaces should be ready to use by next summer. Oregon also received a grant to install TEP at four truck stops.
"Long-haul truckers often leave their rigs idling during a layover at a truck stop," explained Stu Clark, manager of Ecology's air quality program. "Having easy access to an electrical source will save them money and our air will be cleaner because they will be burning less fuel. With the price of diesel these days - it's a win-win situation for everyone."
The Oregon and Washington projects combined will save six million gallons of fuel and $12 million in net fuel costs over a five-year period, assuming the plug-ins are used just 50 percent of the time.
About 500,000 heavy duty long-haul diesel trucks with sleeper cabs travel the United States. The drivers of these trucks are required to take safety rest periods at truck stops or rest areas everyday. Truck drivers generally leave their engines running during these rest periods to provide power for heat, air conditioning and other systems. It is estimated that the idling of long-haul trucks burns nearly a billion gallons of diesel a year, releasing significant amounts of air pollution and increasing fuel and maintenance costs to the truck owner.
TEP eliminates the need to idle by providing grid supplied electrical power through electrical outlets mounted on pedestals at the parking space. Trucks can plug in to these outlets at truck stops and rest areas and receive the power needed to operate heating, air conditioning and other electrical appliances such as televisions, microwaves and refrigerators.
Health studies have shown that diesel exhaust contributes to chronic respiratory problems such as asthma, and may cause cancer. In addition to its health effects, diesel exhaust contributes to global warming and regional haze.
###
Media contact: Glenn Kuper, public information manager, 360-407-6848
Air quality Web site: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/air/airhome.html
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
