For Immediate Release

Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association

1 NW OOIDA Drive, Grain Valley, MO
E-mail:ooida@ooida.com
Web site: www.ooida.com

Phone: (816) 229-5791 Fax: (816) 427-4468

OOIDA Supports Anti-Idling Legislation

Feb 8, 2006, Grain Valley, MO - The Owner-Operator Independent Driver's Association supports a bill introduced in the U.S. House that would provide tax credits on the purchase of anti-idling devices, reduce pollution and save fuel.

Rep. Kay Granger, R-TX, has introduced the Idling Reduction Tax Credit Act of 2006 - HR4672 - that would allow a 25 percent tax credit up to $1,000 for the purchase of anti-idling devices.

The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that the typical long-haul truck driver idles his or her truck 1,830 hours per year. Anti-idling technology could help reduce fuel consumption - an expense that has continued to grow, causing the bottom line of small-business truckers to continue to decline.

"Truckers idle their engines for many reasons related to security, comfort and equipment needs," said Todd Spencer, OOIDA executive vice president. "It is integral for the health and well-being of truckers, and the driving public, that the Congress address anti-idling laws in a manner that encourages and promotes the use of anti-idling technologies."

But many small-business truckers have difficulty affording equipment expenses that are in excess of their operating budgets, which are already strained due to rising diesel prices, highway tolls and fuel taxes.

"This legislation will assist small-business truckers in helping them to recoup some of the cost to outfit their trucks with new technologies," Spencer said.

The EPA estimates that idling-reduction technology could reduce ozone, greenhouse gas and particulate matter emissions by as much as 90 percent.  HR4672 has been referred to the U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee.

Founded in 1973, OOIDA is the largest organization of professional truckers in the country, comprised of nearly 134,000 owner-operators, professional drivers and small-business truckers from all 50 states and Canada.

With its national headquarters located just east of Kansas City in Grain Valley, MO, OOIDA represents the interests of the nation's trucking professionals in the legislative and regulatory processes at both federal and state levels.

Contact: Mike Schermoly (816) 229-5791 or (800) 444-5791