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Capitol Waste Services, Inc. Pays $107,300 for Excessive Idling

Release Date: 01/25/2008
Contact Information: Jeanethe Falvey, (617) 918-1020

(Boston, Mass. - January 25, 2008) - An eastern Massachusetts waste hauler has recently paid an EPA penalty of $107,300 for exceeding the state idling limit in Massachusetts. In 2007, EPA observed pervasive unnecessary idling by Capitol's refuse trucks at Capitol's lot in Revere, Mass.

This action is part of EPA's ongoing effort to reduce unnecessary engine idling. Idling wastes fuel, emits greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change, and degrades air quality. EPA's enforcement effort is complemented by providing assistance to fleets and facilities to help them find alternatives to idling. Since an idling truck or bus can waste nearly a gallon of fuel per hour and incurs significantly more engine wear than driving, curbing excessive idling is a win-win situation for both fleet owners and the environment.

"The pollution from idling engines contributes to ozone smog, fine particle pollution and climate change, all of which pose immediate and long-term threats to human health," said EPA Regional Administrator Robert Varney. "Our enforcement of anti-idling regulations sends the message that excessive idling will not be tolerated."

Diesel engines emit pollutants that can cause or aggravate a variety of health conditions such as asthma, other respiratory illnesses, and heart disease. Long term exposure to diesel exhaust can also cause lung cancer. People with asthma or other respiratory/cardiac conditions, and children whose lungs are still developing, are particularly vulnerable. Capitol's lot in Revere is adjacent to a residential area.

Four New England states-Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire and Rhode Island-have idling limits. Thus far, EPA has the authority to cooperatively enforce idling limits in Massachusetts and Connecticut.

More information: Reducing diesel idling in New England (www.epa.gov/region1/eco/diesel/index.html)

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