Dive Brief:
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Operators of bulldozers, cranes and other diesel-fueled, off-highway equipment won’t be able to idle for more than three minutes at a time if Washington, DC, officials approve a proposal by the city’s Department of the Environment.
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The rule would affect businesses involved in construction, landscaping and industrial activities and would apply to commercial lawn mowers, garden tractors and string trimmers, among other equipment, the Washington Business Journal reported on Tuesday.
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The agency said diesel engines emit soot and hazardous chemicals that pollute the air and can lead to asthma and allergies, exacerbate lung and heart disease, and harm animals, plants and water. The proposed rule also said idling engines waste fuel.
Dive Insight:
In its proposal, the agency said the rule is “not intended to limit the functions of a vehicle or business,” and notes that three minutes is enough time for a diesel engine to warm up.
The proposed rule — which wouldn't take effect until the fall at the earliest — would also grant exemptions for safety, testing, repairs, emergencies, inspections and freezing temperatures.
DC Building Industry Association President Sean Cahill said the proposed regulations have been sent to his association members for comments or concerns.