EPA Administrator Christie Whitman visited an Atlanta truckstop earlier this week to introduce technology that eliminates truck engine idling during extended rest or wait periods.

Joined by partners from trucking fleets and the truckstop industry, Whitman was on hand to launch the new technology pioneered by IdleAire Technologies Inc., of Knoxville, Tenn.
"I believe that forging strong partnerships is an important tool to achieve real and lasting results for the environment. I want to thank IdleAire and Petro Shopping Centers for their leadership on this important issue," Whitman said. "Our goal at EPA is to make sure we continue to meet the nation's freight transportation needs and remain good stewards of our environment."
The system will provide truck drivers with air conditioning, heat, electrical power, telephone access and Internet access, allowing the driver to turn off the truck's engine during long rest periods. Technologies that minimize long-duration idling are a key component of SmartWay Transport, EPA's program to reduce pollution from emissions from the freight transport sector.
The event also introduced EPA's National Transportation Idle-Free Corridors project, which is a part of the SmartWay Transport program. Under this project, EPA will work with states, local communities and private industry to assist with the installation and deployment of emission reduction technologies at strategic locations such as truckstops, ports, borders, terminals and railroad yards.
EPA launched its SmartWay Transport program during January 2003. Through this voluntary partnership, EPA expects to eliminate between nine and 18 million metric tons of carbon equivalent emissions and up to 200,000 tons of NOx emissions per year by 2012. This represents a savings of 150 million barrels of oil a year, and is equivalent to taking 12 million cars off the road.
To achieve these goals, companies can incorporate various strategies and technologies including idle reduction, improved aerodynamics, improved logistics management and reduced highway speed.
For more information on EPA's SmartWay Transport program and on IdleAire's technology visit , www.epa.gov/smartway/ or www.idleaire.com.