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County proposal would ban diesel idling

Bill Novak  —  9/04/2008 8:45 am

Diesel idling in rural Dane County could be sputtering if environmentalists on the Dane County Board get their way.

Supervisor Brett Hulsey and other supervisors are introducing an ordinance amendment at the County Board meeting Thursday night to ban unnecessary idling of diesel-powered vehicles as a way to protect health and to save on fuel costs.

"The Environmental Protection Agency said Dane County has too much soot pollution, and this is one way to clean our air up to healthy levels," Hulsey said. "This is a cost-effective way to save lives, reduce pollution and increase our energy security."

The ordinance would apply only in unincorporated areas of Dane County and only to diesel-powered commercial vehicles, which would be allowed to sit idling for no more than five minutes an hour.

The restriction would not apply to emergency service vehicles such as fire department apparatus, public safety vehicles or ambulances, airport support equipment or vehicles being serviced or repaired.

The ordinance also wouldn't apply if the vehicle is in traffic conditions that the driver has no control over, if idling is necessary to run auxiliary equipment needed to accomplish the intended use of the vehicle or if the outside temperature is 10 degrees below zero or colder. If the outside temperature is above 80 degrees or below 40 degrees, diesel-powered vehicles would be allowed to idle for 15 consecutive minutes.

Violators of the ordinance would be subject to a $50 ticket.

According to Hulsey, 20 states and more than 20 cities and counties in America have idle reduction laws.

"Reducing diesel idling is one key thing we can do to protect public health and safety," said public health department head Dr. Thomas Schlenker.

Madison and Dane County prohibited diesel idling on city- or county-owned property several years ago.

Hulsey said the Clean Air Task Force studied the effect of diesel pollution in Dane County and discovered the pollution comes at a very unhealthy price. The study showed diesel pollution caused 15 premature deaths, 26 non-fatal heart attacks, 477 asthma attacks and more than 3,000 lost work days a year, while costing Dane County residents more than $15 million in pain, suffering and health care costs.

"I applaud Dane County for considering banning dirty diesel idling," said Dona Wininsky of the American Lung Association of Wisconsin. "This is a cost-effective way to protect our health and lungs from dangerous soot pollution."

Once introduced, the ordinance would go to several committees for review and recommendation before coming back to the full board for a possible vote later this fall.

Bill Novak  —  9/04/2008 8:45 am