Turnpike to Build No Idle Clean Air Facility for Truckers at New Stanton Service Plaza

NEW STANTON, PA (04/05/2010)(readMedia)-- The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) today announced that it will begin construction of a Truck Space Electrification (TSE) facility at its New Stanton Service Plaza, located at Turnpike milepost 77.6 westbound, on April 6, 2010. The TSE will provide service towers equipped with modules that fit into truck cab windows to provide heat, air conditioning, internet, TV, and electrical power while the truck's engine remains off. Initially, 28 parking spaces will be fitted with TSE equipment.

Funding for this project is provided by the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) via a State Clean Diesel Grant through an allocation from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 through the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The amount of the award from DEP was $478,396.

The TSE will help truckers, and other operators of diesel powered vehicles, who must now comply with state regulations that make it illegal for diesel powered motor vehicles over five tons to idle their engines while parked at rest stops. The Diesel Powered Motor Vehicle Idling ACT was passed in October of 2008 and went into affect in January of 2009. In addition, the Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP) has been contracted by the DEP to educate the public about the new law, to assist truckers in compliance, and publicize health risks caused by idling diesel motors.

CABAIRE of Enfield CT. was the selected vendor for the project as the result of a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process initiated by the PTC. CABAIRE will provide the equipment and operate and maintain the TSE for 10 years once the installation is complete, and HMS Host and Sunoco will provide on-site support. Michael Baker Jr., Inc., will oversee the project and Clark Construction, Inc. will serve as the contractor for the TSE, which is expected to be operational by May 30th of this year.

PTC Chief Executive Officer Joe Brimmeier said "We are very proud to be constructing this facility on the PA Turnpike, which is one of very few TSEs in the state. This is one of many efforts the PTC is making to provide a greener environment throughout our facilities and provide some relief to the neighborhoods surrounding our New Stanton Service Plaza who have had to endure the noise and pollution from idling diesel engines for decades."