July 29, 2009 sees Congressional Record publish “IDLING REDUCTION TAX CREDIT ACT OF 2009”

Volume 155, No. 116 covering the 1st Session of the 111th Congress (2009 - 2010) was published by the Congressional Record.

The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.

“IDLING REDUCTION TAX CREDIT ACT OF 2009” mentioning the Environmental Protection Agency was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E2089-E2090 on July 29, 2009.

The publication is reproduced in full below:

IDLING REDUCTION TAX CREDIT ACT OF 2009

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HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

of oregon

in the house of representatives

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, each year, long-duration idling of truck engines consumes over 1 billion gallons of diesel fuel and emits 11 million tons of carbon dioxide, 200,000 tons of oxides of nitrogen, and 5,000 tons of particulate matter into the air. Also, idling can increase engine maintenance costs, shorten engine life, adversely affect driver well-being, and create elevated noise levels. Some surveys show that trucks idle anywhere from 6-8 hours a day for as many as 250 to 300 days each year.

This legislation provides an important incentive to protect our environment, reduce fuel consumption, and ease the burden of compliance on the trucking community.

The Idling Reduction Tax Credit Act of 2009 provides a 50% credit for the purchase of an idling reduction unit, capped at $3,000. These units are part of the Environmental Protection Agency's ``Smartway'' program, which is geared toward improving energy efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions, and improving energy security for our transportation system.

According to the EPA, idling reduction units can reduce fuel consumption by 8% each year and generate additional air quality savings by eliminating up to 2,400 hours of idling time each year. Unfortunately, these units can cost up to $8,500. While there are loan programs available for some truckers to help defray this cost, most are unable to take advantage of those programs. The Idling Reduction Tax Credit Act would make the federal government a full partner in this effort. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this important legislation.

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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 155, No. 116