In an attempt to reduce air pollution, Act
124 was passed making it illegal to idle diesel-powered vehicles
for more than 5-minutes. One of the reasons the natural gas industry
is considered so dirty is due to all the diesel emissions they
produce. Below is some additional information on Act 124 as
well as how to report violations.
Diesel Idling - Act 124
Source: Pennsylvania DEP Bureau of Air
Quality
Diesel engine exhaust contains
harmful pollutants in a complex mixture of gases and particulates.
We are all potentially exposed to pollution from diesel vehicles.
Reducing pollution from heavy-duty trucks and buses is part of the
nation's clear air plan. Idling
produces about 140,000 tons of nitrogen oxides and 7.6 million tons
of carbon dioxide annually.
Act 124
Act 124 states that “An owner or
operator of a location where subject vehicles load or unload or a
location that provides 15 or more parking spaces for subject
vehicles shall erect and maintain a permanent sign.” Hence, the act
requires the location owner or operator to post, at minimum, one
sign to alert drivers of subject vehicles of idling requirements.
Owners should be forewarned that it is part of the property owner’s
responsibility to stop idling on their property. Location owners
risk fines if illegal idling is occurring on their property.
Therefore, signs should be posted in sufficient quantity and
positioned so that drivers are alerted to the restrictions placed on
idling. There is no maximum number of signs location owners are
permitted to post.
Complaints
If a citizen believes that a
diesel-powered motor vehicle is idling illegally, they may call
their nearest DEP Regional Office or their local law enforcement
agency. The idling restrictions in Pennsylvania are fixed in
statute. Therefore, a local law enforcement officer is able to
respond to a complaint about illegal idling. DEP Regional Offices
can be reached by calling the statewide Citizen’s Complaint Line
toll free at 1-866-255-5158. Local law enforcement non-emergency
numbers can be found in the local phonebook.
