4/13/10-Gov. Joe Manchin has signed into law a bill that applies to diesel-powered vehicles weighing more than 10,000 pounds. Starting June 11, affected vehicles will be limited to idling for no more than 15 minutes per hour.
Violators would face fines between $150 and $300.
Officers with the division of public safety, sheriffs and deputies, municipal police officers and designated officers of the Public Service Commission are authorized to enforce the idling rules.
Affected trucks will be exempted from the time limit rule when temperatures are lower than 40 degrees or higher than 75 degrees. The exception applies only at locations where trucks are legally permitted to park, including truck terminals, truck stops and rest areas – as long as idle-reduction technology is unavailable.
The temperature exemption expires May 1, 2012.
A provision in SB183 clarifies who is responsible for paying fines. Responsibility for idling violations could be placed on vehicle owners, as well as operators. In addition, owners or operators of locations where vehicles load and unload would also face fines for violations.
Exceptions to the rule also include situations when vehicles are stuck in traffic, required by law enforcement to stop, or when idling is necessary “to operate defrosters, heaters, air conditioners or cargo refrigeration equipment.”
In addition, idling restrictions will not apply to trucks that exhibit a label issued by the California Air Resources Board that shows the vehicle’s engine meets the optional NOx idling emission standard.
One other provision increases the maximum gross vehicle, axle, tandem or bridge formula weight limits for trucks equipped with idle reduction technology. Affected trucks will be authorized to weigh up to an additional 400 pounds.

3/15/10-House lawmakers voted 71-24 Friday, March 12, to advance the bill to Gov. Joe Manchin’s desk that would limit trucks weighing more than 10,000 pounds to idling for no more than 15 minutes per hour. The Senate has already approved it.
Sponsored by Sen. Doug Facemire, D-Braxton, SB183 would apply to diesel-powered vehicles weighing more than 10,000 pounds. Affected vehicles would be limited to idling for no more than 15 minutes per hour.
If signed into law, it would take effect in mid June. Violators would face fines between $150 and $300.
Officers with the division of public safety, sheriffs and deputies, municipal police officers and designated officers of the Public Service Commission would be authorized to enforce the idling rules.
Affected trucks would be exempted from the time limit rule when temperatures are lower than 40 degrees or higher than 75 degrees. The exception would apply only at locations where trucks are legally permitted to park, including truck terminals, truck stops and rest areas – as long as idle reduction technology is unavailable.
The temperature exemption would expire May 1, 2012.
A provision in the bill clarifies who is responsible for paying fines. Responsibility for idling violations could be placed on vehicle owners, as well as operators. In addition, owners or operators of locations where vehicles load and unload would also face fines for violations.
Exceptions to the rule also would include situations when vehicles are stuck in traffic, required by law enforcement to stop or when idling is necessary “to operate defrosters, heaters, air conditioners or cargo refrigeration equipment.”
In addition, idling restrictions would not apply to trucks that exhibit a label issued by the California Air Resources Board that shows the vehicle’s engine meets the optional NOx idling emission standard.
One other provision would increase the maximum gross vehicle, axle, tandem or bridge formula weight limits for trucks equipped with idle reduction technology. Affected trucks would be authorized to weigh up to an additional 400 pounds.
For bill status, call 304-357-7800. In West Virginia, call 877-565-3447.

2/26/10-The Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee voted to advance a bill to the Senate Judiciary Committee that would limit trucks weighing more than 10,000 pounds to idling for no more than 15 minutes per hour.
As introduced, the bill called for limiting idling for no more than five minutes per hour but the committee voted to triple that amount of time.
Sponsored by Sen. Doug Facemire, D-Braxton, SB183 would fine violators between $150 and $300.
Officers with the division of public safety, sheriffs and deputies, municipal police officers and designated officers of the Public Service Commission would be authorized to enforce the idling rules.
Affected trucks would be exempted from the time limit rule when temperatures are lower than 40 degrees or higher than 75 degrees. The exception would apply only at locations where trucks are legally permitted to park, including truck terminals, truck stops and rest areas – as long as idle reduction technology is unavailable.
The temperature exemption would expire May 1, 2012.
A provision in the bill clarifies who is responsible for paying fines. Responsibility for idling violations could be placed on vehicle owners, as well as operators. In addition, owners or operators of locations where vehicles load and unload would also face fines for violations.
Exceptions to the rule also would include situations when vehicles are stuck in traffic, required by law enforcement to stop or when idling is necessary “to operate defrosters, heaters, air conditioners or cargo refrigeration equipment.”
In addition, idling restrictions would not apply to trucks that exhibit a label issued by the California Air Resources Board that shows the vehicle’s engine meets the optional NOx idling emission standard.
One other provision would increase the maximum gross vehicle, axle, tandem or bridge formula weight limits for trucks equipped with idle reduction technology. Affected trucks would be authorized to weigh up to an additional 400 pounds.
For bill status, call 304-357-7800. In West Virginia, call 877-565-3447.

1/27/10-A bill in the Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee would limit trucks weighing more than 10,000 pounds to idling for no more than five minutes per hour.
Sponsored by Sen. Doug Facemire, D-Braxton, SB183 would fine violators between $150 and $300.
Affected trucks would be exempted from the time limit rule when temperatures are lower than 40 degrees or higher than 75 degrees. The exception would apply only at locations where trucks are legally permitted to park, including truck terminals, truck stops and rest areas – as long as idle reduction technology is unavailable.
While loading or unloading, idling would be allowed for up to 15 minutes in a 60-minute period, when necessary.
The temperature exemption would expire May 1, 2011.
A provision in the bill clarifies who is responsible for paying fines. Responsibility for idling violations could be placed on vehicle owners, as well as operators. In addition, owners or operators of locations where vehicles load and unload would also face fines for violations.
Exceptions to the rule also would include situations when vehicles are stuck in traffic, required by law enforcement to stop or when idling is necessary “to operate defrosters, heaters, air conditioners or cargo refrigeration equipment.”
In addition, idling restrictions would not apply to trucks that exhibit a label issued by the California Air Resources Board that shows the vehicle’s engine meets the optional NOx idling emission standard.
One other provision would increase the maximum gross vehicle, axle, tandem or bridge formula weight limits for trucks equipped with idle reduction technology. Affected trucks would be authorized to weigh up to an additional 400 pounds.
For Senate bill status, call 304-357-7800. In West Virginia, call 877-565-3447.