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John Dennehy |
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V.P. of Marketing and Communications
Espar Heater Systems
(800) 387-4800
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Mr. Dennehy has been V.P. of Marketing and Communications with Espar for 9 years. He has played an integral part in working with several levels of government agencies in both the U.S. and Canada to bring awareness to the challenges of idling, anti-idling technologies and the reduction of green house gases. Mr. Dennehy will entertain questions on anti-idling technologies, state regulations and state/province initiatives regarding rebates/incentives and also idling laws and fines within each state.
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I am a member of the Student Government Association at the University of Maryland, College Park. I am a member of the Environmental Affairs Committee in said association and our group has an interest in acquiring anti-idling technology for the vast UMD Shuttle fleet the school operates. This fleet of 30 buses runs 24/7, idling for extended periods of time at traffic signals and schedules stops.
The school has been experiencing a budget crisis in the last several years and the administration has been cutting programs and faculty instead of finding innovative ways to save money. I understand that anti-idling technology will not only reduce emissions but will save the school a good deal of money on fuel costs. My question is, what do you think is the best way of seeking out funding? I also intern for the EPA and am fully aware of the Clean School Bus and Voluntary Diesel Retrofit Programs (I work directly for VDRP), but am wondering if there are other organizations that have grant programs for this sort of scenario?
Consequently, environmental technology of all kinds is my passion, including but not limited to; energy production, emissions reduction, alternative fuel, environmental homes, etc. If you have any leads on a good job for an intelligent, ambitious, talented man such as myself graduating in Dec. ‘05 I would greatly appreciate it.
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Well I have to say you're following the right path, I've never seen so much momentum in any market as the one that is currently happening in the Truck & Bus market when it comes to anti-idling. I use the EPA web site frequently to find government funding oppotunities, you're on the right track. CMAQ (state wide) offers other oppotunities. You might want to check in with them from time to time.
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What idling regulations are enforced in Missouri/St. Louis County?
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10 minutes max.
Fine: Not < $1, nor > $500.00 and /or imprisonmentfor not more than >90 days.
Check this link for more information
http://www.epa.gov/smartway/idle-state.htm
another great link for you is
www.Stlouis.missouri.org/citygov/airpollution
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I am 75 years old and can remember when gasoline was 30 and 40 cents a gallon diesel fuel was 10 cents less. The reason is that it costs less at the refinery level to make
diesel fuel. My son is an owner operator and pays for his own fuel. If I was a younger man I would be on the
steps of Congress asking for
our government to put some pressure on the oil refiners and big gasoline to quit gouging the price of diesel.
I am trying to find an agency with some clout to find a way
to make the refiners and gas
companies behave. I have written my Senator and have
not received a reply, but why
does that not surprise me?
Everything we buy and use on a daily basis was delivered by a truck and the outrageous
price of diesel is making all those things more expensive.
All trucker need some help.
Can you help?
Thanks,
Joe Tillman
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| A. |
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This is a tough one but I feel compelled to respond. Joe, while this is not relevant to this particular subject, I know what you're up against. I unfortunately can't help you in getting the price of fuel reduced, however there are steps that can be taken. One of biggest expenses to your son is his fuel cost. I hope he does not idle his truck needlessly, but if he does, he has to look into acquiring some sort of idle reduction technology. There are many options out there. Owner Operators are somewhat more conscious of their bottom dollar, but fact is that Class 8 trucks are idling 30%-50% of the time, especially in colder climates. By using anti-idling technologies you can get these percentages down below 15%.
There is an association out there called OOIDA (Owner Operators Independent Drivers Association), you might want to get in touch with them regarding national support.
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Are there any regulations about idling an A.P.U.? This is still, in our case a diesel motor.
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To date there are no regulations regarding idling an APU in any state. That being said, CARB (California Air Resource Board) located in California, a state that is stringent about negative impacts on their air quality, are looking at regulating emissions on these small engines. Their agenda probably won’t be pushed through till 2010. Any users of this APU technology today and until then will be grand fathered in. So it will not affect you. Manufacturers of these small engines are also working to reduce the emissions, very much like what is happening with the Truck Engine Manufacturers in the Truck Market. There are many ways in reducing the engine emissions and the future will show what technologies each manufacturer uses.
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Are there any laws regarding idling in Ohio? I was quite surprized to see the one on the books in New Jersey. Also, is there an average fuel usage when idling?
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Referencing two qualified sources, I have found no state laws regarding idling in Ohio to date. I do know that there is a big push on by the Environmental Protection Agency to eliminate all idling in all states by 2015, so changes are coming.
On average an idling truck burns 1 gallon of diesel fuel per hour. That is the truck idling at approx. 900 rpm, which is normal.
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