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New York bill would offer incentive to reduce idling

Truckers wouldn’t have to sacrifice payload for cab comfort if a bill nearing passage in the New York Senate advances to the governor’s desk. Other states have also acted recently to authorize the incentive.

Awaiting a vote on the Senate floor, the Assembly-approved bill would increase the weight limit for large trucks equipped with idle-reduction technology. Commercial vehicles equipped with auxiliary power units would be authorized to weigh up to an additional 400 pounds.

Supporters say the weight exception removes the disincentive that would keep truckers from using APUs. They say a reduction of 400 pounds in cargo is a major loss in hauling potential and represents an economic disincentive for using these units.

A memo attached to the bill – A8300 – explains that the exemption would enhance air quality and help to eliminate truck idling while the driver meets his or her federal- and state-mandated rest periods.

Also, the exemption would mean that “the installation of an APU will not diminish the amount of freight that a truck can legally carry,” the memo reads. “While 400 pounds may not seem like a significant amount, it can easily translate to an additional pallet of freight.”

States were granted federal authority in 2005 to allow heavy-duty trucks to exceed the 80,000-pound maximum weight limit to encourage the use of idling-reduction equipment.

OOIDA has long advocated adoption of the 400-pound exemption, even before the federal authority was granted. The Association supports the exemption as reasonable because it’s another inducement to install APUs onto trucks.

The weight exemption is already permitted in 42 states. Currently, enforcement policy in New York grants the weight allowance, but it isn’t state law.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, other states yet to authorize the 400-pound exemption are California, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Rhode Island and Tennessee.

To view other legislative activities of interest for New York, click here .

– By Keith Goble, state legislative editor

Editor’s Note: Please share your thoughts with us about the legislation included in this story. Comments may be sent to [email protected] .

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