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EPA Smartway Program Awards $100,000 Grant To Arkansas

Release Date: 9/13/2004
Contact Information: For more information contact the Office of External Affairs at (214) 665-2200.

      Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Mike Leavitt announced the award of $100,000 to Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality to reduce truck idling.  The Partnership is a national voluntary program developed by EPA and freight industry representatives to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gases, and to promote cleaner, more efficient ground freight transportation.  A key SmartWay strategy is to reduce long duration truck engine idling and to establish national transportation idle-free corridors.  

      This strategy promotes a nationwide network of idle-reduction facilities along interstate highway freight corridors and at rail switch yards. EPA and its SmartWay Partners support pilot projects to evaluate and demonstrate the fuel-saving benefits of advanced idle reduction technologies, such as truck stop electrification.

      EPA Administrator Mike Leavitt explained, "Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality will evaluate the potential emissions reductions resulting from truck stop electrification. This study will serve as an important tool for Arkansas to achieve air quality improvements geared toward reaching air quality attainment goals."

      Truck stop electrification eliminates main engine idling while providing the truck driver the necessary in-cab needs such as air conditioning, heat, and power for on-board appliances.  Extended idling has a significant impact upon local air quality.  On a national scale, extended truck idling contributes, annually, 11 million tons of carbon dioxide, 180,000 tons of oxides of nitrogen, and 5,000 tons of particulate matter.  Additionally, idling long haul trucks consume over one billion gallons of fuel, costing over $2 billion annually.  

      This grant will enable trucking companies to not only save money through fuel savings, but also to protect the environment.  Truck stop electrification could reduce emissions in Arkansas by as much as 35 tons of nitrogen oxide, 1 ton of particulate matter, and 2,500 tons of carbon dioxide per year, thereby protecting the health of Arkansas's citizens as well as the environment.

      More information about EPA's SmartWay Transportation Partnership is available at https://www.epa.gov/smartway.