Washington, D.C. - Supported by the bus and trucking sectors, a diesel idle reduction campaign was launched on July 13 that will continue throughout the summer in the Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore Regions. The effort aims at decreasing diesel emissions and improving air quality for everyone.

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG), in collaboration with the District Department of the Environment (DDOE), the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), and the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), launched the idle reduction campaign to:

• Increase idle reduction awareness and control diesel emissions.
• Promote idle-reduction as a positive behavior that helps bus and truck drivers to avoid fines, save money, and cut fuel costs.
• Improve public health, protect the environment and enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors to our nation’s capitol and the Baltimore region.

“Turning the engine off when it doesn’t need to be on is one of the easiest and most efficient steps bus and truck drivers can take to help improve the region’s air quality,” said Greenbelt City Council Member Leta Mach, Chairman of the Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Committee. “This simple act will help drivers to avoid costly fines, save money and curb fuel use.”

Bus and trucking associations and their member companies are actively supporting the idle reduction campaign, including:

• American Bus Association
• United Motor Coach Association
• American Trucking Associations
• Diesel Technology Forum
• Maryland Motor Truck Association
• National Association of Truckstop Operators
• National Private Truck Council
• Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association
• Truckload Carriers Association
• Virginia Trucking Association

Participating associations are reaching out to member bus and truck companies, encouraging them to inform their drivers about the idle reduction campaign and its positive benefits.

At a press conference held at COG headquarters in Washington on July 13, Glen Kedzie, Vice President of Environmental Affairs and Assistant General Counsel at the American Trucking Association (ATA), a trade association, said that the anti-idling campaign is a “win-win” for the industry and the public because the benefits extend far beyond air pollution. Kedzie noted that reduced dependency on foreign oil, reduced emissions, and increased savings are additional benefits that result from decreased idling.  

To learn more about the campaign, please visit the Web site at www.TurnYourEngineOff.org.