Golden State anti-idling law extends to trucks in '08
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Starting on New Year's Day next year, California is no longer exempting diesel trucks from its five-minute idling limit when drivers are resting in the sleeper berth. On Jan. 1, 2008, the change will affect all trucks over 10,000 lbs, regardless of model year. Violators may be fined up to $1000 per day and may face possible criminal charges. The California Air Resources Board is recommending truckers that haul in the state adopt anti-idling technologies like Battery-Powered Auxiliary Power Units (APUs); Fuel-Fired Heaters (certain restrictions apply); or use truckstop infrastructure that provides heating, cooling, electricity, and/or other services at various locations throughout California. However, as per further restrictions on diesel-powered APUs, they must meet additional emissions standards on new 2007 trucks and cannot be operated for more than five minutes within 100 ft of a residential area. Idling is acceptable only when the truck is stuck in traffic or immobile due to adverse weather; is being inspected or serviced, or is operating a power take-off device.