The Washington State Senate recently proposed fining truckers for idling at night when trying to maintain consistently warm temperatures inside their sleeper berths. Hailed as a “bold move to combat air pollution and enhance public health” by the Source One News, it seems abundantly clear lawmakers sponsoring Substitute Senate Bill 6304 have never worked as OTR drivers. However, the measure goes to great lengths to promote battery-electric usage despite the limited range of zero-emissions semis.
“The legislature finds that the idling of vehicles, particularly commercial vehicles, contributes significantly to air quality concerns and greenhouse gas emissions in the state. These impacts particularly impact overburdened communities and vulnerable populations, as commercial truck routes are often located in these communities,” the measure states. “Therefore, it is the intent of the legislature to limit idling of commercial vehicles in Washington.”
Sponsored by Washinton State Senate Transportation Committee Chair Marko Liias, the bill penalizes “any diesel-fueled commercial motor vehicle” to “idle for more than five consecutive minutes at any location.” Fines range from $300 to a whopping $1,000 in restricted areas, and no exceptions are reportedly included for sub-freezing conditions. Washington ranks among the cold-weather states, and truck drivers are responsible for delivering more than 70 percent of the Northwestern region’s goods and materials.
“It seems we’re just going to wholesale adopt those rules without consideration to the environment we have here in Washington,” Jeff DeVere, with the Washington Trucking Association,” reportedly said. “I think we really need to take a look at these, how this works here. We need to start looking past just putting this on the backs of trucks.”
Portions of the proposed law link Washington emissions standards to those promulgated by California regulatory bodies. Certain types of tires would be banded, and a full-court press to transition vehicles such as school buses to electric models would get underway. Truckers could have to make decisions between dealing with frigid temperatures or paying $1,000 per day for idling as early as January 2, 2025.
This is not to say the measure becoming law is a slam dunk. As it heads to a floor vote, some lawmakers remain opposed to restricting truck idling given the state’s notoriously cold winters.
“And that doesn’t include if you live in a cold climate and have to build a new facility. I believe this bill isn’t ready for prime time,” State Sen. Curtis King reportedly said in opposition.
Sources:
https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennum/2023-24/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Bills/6304-S.pdf?q=20240214093425
And why would anyone go to the left coast or the armpit of America???