Sapp Bros. Travel Plaza's Omaha, Neb., location now offers plug-in power to help save fuel, reduce idling and lower emissions. Sapp Bros. is now one of two truckstops in Nebraska to offer plug-in power to customers.

The Sapp Bros. site is one of 50 truckstops planned nationwide to get power pedestals in 2012 through the Shorepower Truckstop Electrification Project, a U.S. Department of Energy program partnering Shorepower Technologies with Cascade Sierra Solutions. CSS administers the program, which also includes rebates for trucking operators to purchase idle-reduction equipment.

Truckers and the public saw how truckstop electrification contributes to a healthier environment at a two-day open house June 12-13 at the Sapp Bros. location on I-80 at Exit 440. In attendance were representatives from Shorepower Technologies, which installed 24 plug-in power pedestals at the site, Cascade Sierra Solutions and industry vendors.

By using 120-volt or 208-volt electricity, truckers can heat or cool their cabs and run appliances such as TV, microwave and refrigerator at a fraction of the cost of idling their vehicles during mandatory rest stops.

"This central location in Omaha is a key stop for trucking companies to take advantage of electrification that we are introducing to a growing number of truckstops nationally," says Alan Bates, Shorepower vice president of marketing. "By using shore power at truckstops to reduce idling, among other steps, trucking fleets can save 60% or more on energy costs."

For energy-conscious fleets, the Sapp Bros. site also offers six 480-volt power pedestals for refrigerated trailer units.

"Truck owners who need a 240-volt electric standby connection can arrange to have access to a power converter at any STEP site that provides 480-volt service," says David Orton, CSS marketing manager. "More than half of the 50 STEP truck stop locations will have the 480-volt service."