Pennsylvania Incentives and Laws for Idle Reduction
The list below contains summaries of all Pennsylvania incentives and laws related to Idle Reduction.
State Incentives
Alternative Fuel and Idle Reduction Grants
The Small Business Advantage Grant Program provides matching grants of 50%, up to $7,500, to enable a Pennsylvania small business to adopt or acquire energy-efficient or pollution prevention equipment or processes. Pennsylvania trucking companies and independent truckers may use the funding to purchase auxiliary power units. Projects may not begin until after applications are approved. Funding is contingent upon annual legislative appropriations. As of October 2011, the annual grant application period is closed.
Idle Reduction Loans
The Small Business Pollution Prevention Assistance Account Loan Program provides low interest rate loans to small businesses undertaking projects in Pennsylvania that reduce waste, pollution, or energy use, including the purchase of truck auxiliary power units. Loans are available for 75% of the total eligible project costs. The maximum loan amount is $100,000 within any 12-month period. The loan has a 2% fixed rate and a maximum term of 10 years.
Point of Contact
Gene DelVecchio
Program Manager
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Phone: (717) 772-8951
Fax: (717) 783-2703
gdelvecchi@state.pa.us
Idle Reduction Weight Exemption
A vehicle equipped with qualified idle reduction technology may exceed the state's gross weight and axle weight limits by up to 400 pounds to compensate for the additional weight of the idle reduction technology. (Reference Title 35 Pennsylvania Statutes, Chapter 23B, Section 4604)
Laws and Regulations
Idle Reduction Requirement
Diesel vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating over 10,000 pounds may not idle for more than five minutes in any continuous 60 minute period. Exemptions include: uncontrollable traffic conditions; prevention of safety or health emergencies; emergency or law enforcement purposes; verification that a vehicle is safe to operate; vehicle maintenance; power work-related operations; sampling, weighing, or loading; bus passenger comfort; vehicles actively engaged in solid waste or recyclable material collection; vehicles complying with manufacturer specifications; and vehicles meeting California Air Resources Board nitrogen oxide idling emission standards. (Reference Title 35 Pennsylvania Statutes, Chapter 23B, Section 4603)
