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EPA ADMINISTRATOR CHRISTIE WHITMAN HIGHLIGHTS INSTALLATION OF GEORGIA'S FIRST IDLEAIRE ADVANCED TRAVEL CENTER ELECTRIFICATION SYSTEM IN ATLANTA, GA

Release Date: 06/10/2003
Contact Information: Carl Terry, EPA Public Affairs, (404)562-8327

ATLANTA--- June 10, 2003) EPA Administrator Christie Whitman, today in Atlanta, Georgia, along with partners from U.S. trucking fleets and the truck stop industry, introduced technology to eliminate truck engine idling during extended rest or wait periods. This technology has been pioneered by IdleAire Technologies, Inc., from Knoxville Tennessee. "Earlier this year we launched the SmartWay Transport program - a voluntary partnership designed to improve the environmental performance of the rail and freight industry," said Administrator Christie Whitman. "President Bush and I believe that forging strong partnerships is an important tool to achieve real and lasting results for the environment. I want to thank IdleAire and Petro Shopping Centers for their leadership on this important issue. Our goal at EPA is to make sure we continue to meet the Nation's freight transportation needs and remain good stewards of our environment." The technology being introduced by IdleAire Technologies, Inc. in Atlanta will provide truck drivers with air conditioning, heat, electrical power, telephone access, and Internet access allowing the driver to turn off the truck's large diesel engine during long rest periods. Using this technology will allow the driver to save 100% of the diesel fuel previously consumed by extended engine idling at rest or wait periods and, will reduce up to 90% of all pollutants emitted while idling. Technologies that minimize long-duration idling is a key component of SmartWay Transport, EPA's program to reduce pollution from emissions from the freight transport sector. Today's event also introduced EPA's National Transportation Idle-Free Corridors project which is a part of the SmartWay Transport program. Under this project, EPA will work with states, local communities, and private industry to assist with the installation and deployment of emission reduction technologies at strategic locations such as truck stops, ports, borders, terminals, and railroad yards. In the National Energy Policy, President Bush directed EPA to work with the trucking and truck stop industry to reduce wasteful idling. EPA responded by launching its SmartWay Transport program during January 2003. Through this voluntary partnership, EPA expects to eliminate between 9 and 18 million metric tons of carbon equivalent emissions and up to 200,000 tons of NOx emissions per year by 2012. This represents a savings of 150 million barrels of oil a year, and is equivalent to taking 12 million cars off the road. To achieve these goals, companies can incorporate various strategies and technologies including; idle reduction, improved aerodynamics, improved logistics management and reduced highway speed.