A Massachusetts truckstop owner may face having his business shut down if he can’t keep his customers from unnecessarily idling their trucks.

The Boston Globe reports that town officials in Plainville, Mass., have ordered Domenic Georgio, owner of the Plainville Truck Stop, to explain why his business should stay open. State law prohibits trucks from idling unnecessarily for more than five minutes, but the definition of “unnecessary” is vague. At a Sept. 4 hearing, Georgia will have to offer a plan to reduce diesel fumes, which neighbors have been complaining about.
Such a plan, officials say, might include limiting the number of trucks that can park at the truckstop at one time, moving them away from the area closest to residences, increasing signs that warn against idling, and more “self-policing” on Georgio’s part.
Georgio has said there’s not much he can do beyond posting signs and handing out fliers to truckers, and that a professional study showed there is no pollution problem at the truckstop.