HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 9020INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 9020
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council March 3, 2009
Page 1 of 1
x SUBJECT: Locally Enforced Idling Restriction Policy
tsTo
In a February 10, 2009, Informal Report to City Council members, staff mentioned the necessity of
adopting a locally enforced idling restriction (anti- idling) policy as a means to attain federal air quality
standards. The purpose of this report is to provide details on this policy and describe next steps in its
consideration.
The City of Fort Worth took the initial step towards idle reduction when the City Council adopted the Clean
Fleet Resolution (3334 -04- 2006). This Resolution allows City vehicle idling only for safety, emergency
response, vehicle maintenance, equipment activity, warm up /operations in cold temperature, and
manufacturer recommended idle /warm -up times.
The North Central Texas Council of Government has estimated that if every local government in the 9-
county non- attainment area adopted and enforced similar idling restriction regulations, then as much as
0.62 tons of Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) per day could be removed from the atmosphere.
The locally enforced idling restrictions are applicable only within the
jurisdiction of a local government that has signed a Memorandum of
Agreement with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to
delegate enforcement of the state air quality regulations. If adopted,
gasoline /diesel powered motor vehicles weighing over 14,000 pounds
would not be allowed to idle their main engine for more than 5 minutes
when not in motion, during the seven -month period from April 1
through October 31. Vehicles with sleeper berths would not be
allowed to idle in a residential neighborhood, a school zone, within
1,000 feet of a hospital or school, or within a 2 -mile radius of an
electrified truck stop (see photo at righo. Should the City Council
choose to do so, these state requirements would be adopted by reference.
A presentation on the locally enforced idling restriction policy is being prepared for the March 2009
Infrastructure and Transportation Committee meeting. The presentation will discuss the program in
general, as well as the required local Memorandum of Agreement, ordinance, and implementation plan,
which includes a provision for education and enforcement. With the committee's approval, staff will
present this information to the full Council for approval. The implementation plan must be forwarded to the
State within 45 days of approval.
If you have any questions about this topic, please contact Brian K. Boemer, CPM, CHMM, Environmental
Management Director, at 817- 392 -8085.
f
c'
-L
a 4 A. F er. P. E.
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH. TEXAS