EPA to Revise Halogenated Solvent Degreaser MACT Standard to Control Residual Risk

August 14, 2006

Halogenated solvents are used to remove soils such as grease, oils, waxes, carbon deposits and tars from metal, plastic, fiberglass and other surfaces. The proposal includes two options. The proposals would impose an annual cap on emissions of the solvents methylene chloride, perchloroethylene and trichloroethylene. Affected facilities would be allowed to reduce their emissions using any traditional methods available. There are nearly 1,900 degreasing operations in the United States. Most degreasing operations already emit less than either proposed cap. The proposal would focus on facilities posing the highest risks by requiring them to reduce emissions and meet the cap.EPA issued a national rule to limit emissions of air toxics from degreasing operations in 1994. This rule is one of 96 rules called maximum achievable control technology (MACT) standards, which require 174 industry sectors to eliminate 1.7 million tons of 187 air toxics. Congress listed these toxic air pollutants in the Clean Air Act. EPA estimates that the 1994 standards prevent nationwide emissions of air toxics by 85,300 tons per year.The proposal addresses the residual risk and the eight-year technology review provisions in the Clean Air Act. These provisions direct EPA to review existing control technology standards. EPA is to tighten those standards if needed to protect health or because of improvements in emissions reduction methods. EPA will accept public comment on its proposal for 45 days following publication of the proposed action in the Federal Register.

Judge Orders EPA to Set New Air Standards

A federal judge ruled in favor of a lawsuit argument by the Sierra Club, who claimed that the Clean Air Act requires EPA to identify, by November 1995, the emission sources for the 30 most hazardous air pollutants and, by November 2000, issue emissions standards for those sources. The agency finished identifying the pollution sources in 1999 but has issued standards for only 15 of the 70 different types of sources. The judge rejected EPA’s argument that the complexity of the task necessitated a schedule that would complete one group of regulations by October 2011 and another by December 2012 requiring about 50 months per regulation.  "If the schedule set by the Clean Air Act for the regulation of these sources is unreasonable, EPA's remedy lies with Congress, not with the courts." The schedule Friedman adopted requires that the agency complete one portion of regulations by June 2009 and the other by October 2008.

Regional Benefits Analysis for the Final Section 316(b) Phase III Existing Facilities Rule

 This "Phase III" rule, establishes categorical requirements under section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act for new offshore oil and gas extraction facilities that have a design intake flow threshold of greater than 2 million gallons per day (MGD) and that withdraw at least 25 percent of the water exclusively for cooling purposes. 

EPA Fines Two Companies for Storm Water Permit Violations

EPA has reached settlements with Primeland Development Company, LLP, and GM Development, LLC, for violations of the national pollutant discharge elimination system (NPDES) construction general permit (CGP). Primeland Development settled for a penalty in the amount of $2,550 for violations at its construction site in Meridian, Idaho. The violations included operating without coverage under the CGP, deficiencies in the SWPPP, failure to conduct all required inspections and failure to maintain best management practices for stabilizing its construction site in Post Falls, Idaho.“Improper management of storm water runoff can have a significant impact on water quality," said Kim Ogle, Manager of EPA's Permit Compliance Unit in Seattle. "Developers and construction companies need to comply with EPA's regulations or face enforcement.

The City of Kooskia, Idaho Agrees to $3,500 EPA Settlement to Resolve Clean Water Act Violations

The City of Kooskia, Idaho, has reached a $3,500 settlement with the EPA for Clean Water Act violations related to the city’s municipal wastewater discharge. According to the discharge monitoring reports provided by the city, the city has been exceeding both the chlorine and e.coli bacteria effluent limits in its national pollutant discharge elimination system  permit. The city discharges its treated wastewater to the South Fork of the Clearwater River. Between January 2003 and October 2005 the city accumulated roughly 2,000 violations. The chlorine and e.coli bacteria effluent limits are water quality based effluent limits established using the state’s water quality standards for local water quality conditions. According to EPA’s Idaho Operations Office Director, Jim Werntz, “City officials have made significant strides in addressing this discharge problem. The planned plant upgrades will achieve measurable progress improving overall water quality in the South Fork of the Clearwater River.”

Printer Fined for Discharging Silver Down the Drain

A March 2004 inspection discovered the facility’s silver recovery unit was not in place. Discharge hoses from the film developing unit were taped to a drain hose, allowing a silver-contaminated wastewater to be improperly disposed of in the drain without a permit. Silver-contaminated wastewater can pollute ocean water and harm marine life. High concentrations of silver are second to mercury in toxicity to marine invertebrates such as crabs, shrimp, lobster and coral.“Graphic Center’s illegal disposal of silver-contaminated wastewater is a serious violation of the law,” said Jeff Scott, the EPA’s director for the waste management programs in the Pacific Southwest region. “Improper management of hazardous waste puts employees, the community and the environment at risk. EPA will continue to ensure that companies handling hazardous waste follow proper procedures, and will take appropriate actions when violations are discovered.”Inspectors also discovered rags used to clean up solvents disposed of as regular waste. Other violations noted include:

 

  • Disposal of hazardous waste without a permit
  • Improperly labeled containers of hazardous waste
  • Failure to notify the EPA of hazardous waste generation activity

 

EPA Fines Ashland for NESHAP Violations

EPA Region 5 has reached an agreement with Ashland Inc. on alleged Clean Air Act violations at the company's resin manufacturing plant at 142nd Street and Paxton Avenue, Calumet City, Ill.The agreement, which includes a $60,000 penalty and an environmental project costing $154,400, resolves EPA allegations that Ashland failed to comply with national emissions standards for hazardous air pollutants and the facility's state operating permit.The plant produces amino/phenolic resins that can be used to make plywood, particle board, adhesives, wood furniture and plastic parts. A number of hazardous air pollutants are used in the manufacturing process.For its environmental project, Ashland will install and maintain sealless pumps and operate them for at least five years. The pumps are designed to prevent leaks.

 

EPA Cites Kerry Ingredients for CFC Leaks

EPA Region 5 has cited Kerry Ingredients for alleged violations of EPA regulations to protect stratospheric ozone at the company's bread crumb manufacturing plant at 100 E. Washington St., Millstadt, Ill.EPA alleges Kerry failed to repair refrigeration equipment that leaked excessive amounts of ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). In addition, EPA said the company violated testing, notification, retrofitting, replacement and retirement planning requirements for the equipment."EPA's mission is to protect public health and the environment," said Acting Regional Administrator Bharat Mathur. "We will take whatever steps are needed to ensure compliance with the Clean Air Act."These are preliminary findings of violations. To resolve them, EPA may issue a compliance order, assess an administrative penalty or bring suit against the company. Kerry has 30 days from receipt of the notice to meet with EPA to discuss resolving the allegations.When CFC refrigerants deplete the stratospheric ozone layer, dangerous amounts of cancer-causing ultraviolet rays from the sun strike Earth. Production of some of these chemicals was stopped in 1995, and federal law controls their use and handling.

 

Citgo Petroleum and Environmental Manager Indicted for Environmental Crimes

A federal grand jury in Corpus Christi, Tex., last week returned a 10-count indictment, charging Citgo Petroleum Corporation, its subsidiary, Citgo Refining and Chemicals Co. and the environmental manager at its Corpus Christi East Plant Refinery with criminal violations of the Clean Air Act (CAA) and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA).Citgo was indicted on two counts of operating their refinery in Corpus Christi in violation of the national emission standard for benzene waste operations and two counts of operating open-top tanks as oil/water separators without first installing the emission controls required by federal and state regulations. The CAA regulations require Citgo to control the emission of benzene from waste water produced at the refinery.The indictment also charges the refinery's environmental manager, Philip Vrazel, with failing to identify in a report filed with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for the year 2000 all of the points in the refinery wastewater system where benzene was generated. An accurate report is required by regulations to be filed with the TCEQ annually.Benzene is a hazardous air pollutant found to cause cancer in people exposed to small amounts of the chemical. Congress passed the CAA, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prescribed regulations governing the operation of refineries to limit the amount of benzene that may be emitted to the atmosphere at such facilities. According to the indictment, Citgo operated its Corpus Christi refinery in 2000 with more than 57 megagrams of benzene in waste streams that were exposed to the air. A megagram is equal to one metric ton. Federal regulations limit refineries to operating with less than six megagrams of benzene in their exposed waste streams. Citgo is also charged with operating in 2001 with more than seven megagrams of benzene in its exposed waste streams.Regulations governing the construction and operation of new sources of hazardous air pollutants require oil/water separators to be fitted with emission control devices to prevent the release of benzene and other harmful chemicals into the environment. According to the indictment, Citgo used two large open-top tanks as oil/water separators between January 1994 and May 2003 without the required emission controls. During an unannounced inspection in March 2002, TCEQ inspectors found approximately 4.5 million gallons of oil in the two open top tanks.According to the indictment, Citgo Refining and Vrazel are also facing five counts of violating the MBTA for the illegal taking of protected birds. The birds were found coated with oil as a result of landing in the open top tanks. The tanks attract the birds and, therefore, must be fitted with nets or other equipment to prevent birds from entering or landing in the oil. The MBTA implements international treaties that protect birds which migrate between countries by requiring permits and placing limits on the taking of certain species.If convicted, Citgo faces fines of up to $500,000 or twice the gross economic gain, whichever is greater, and five years of probation. Vrazel faces fines of up to $500,000 and up to five years in prison.An indictment contains only allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

States Petition EPA to Require Disclosure of All Ingredients in Pesticides

 However, pesticide products also contain many inert ingredients. Although intended to preserve or improve the effectiveness of the active ingredients in particular pesticides, these inert ingredients often are toxic themselves. Although almost 400 chemicals used for this purpose have been found by EPA or other federal agencies to be hazardous to human health and the environment, EPA does not require them to be identified on pesticide labels. Current EPA regulations allow the identity of almost all inert ingredients to be omitted from the label based only on their function in the product, not on their health or environmental effects. States are pre-empted by federal law from requiring additional labeling for pesticides.New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer said, "Consumers have a right to know about toxic ingredients in consumer products, whether or not those ingredients are ‘active’ or ‘inert.’ There is no logical reason for EPA to mandate disclosure of those ingredients that harm pests but exempt from disclosure other ingredients that cause serious health and environmental problems."California Attorney General Bill Lockyer said, "We all have a right to know about hazardous chemicals contained in pesticide products we use, and the EPA has a duty to protect our health and the environment by requiring manufacturers to list these ingredients on product labels. EPA alone can and must take this long overdue step to protect the public, because states do not have this regulatory authority."Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said, "The EPA is inexplicably misleading the public – allowing hazardous substances in pesticides to be identified simply as ‘inert.’ The EPA’s failure to demand disclosure of these harmful substances is unconscionable. These chemicals should be disclosed to consumers so they are fully informed and empowered to protect themselves. Our demand that EPA immediately require that these chemicals are identified on pesticide labels is supported by science and common sense, as well as law."Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan said, "Consumers have the right to know what they’re exposing themselves and their children to when they use pesticides. We have everything to gain and nothing to lose by requiring these toxic substances to appear on product labels."Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch said, "The word ‘inert’ doesn’t necessarily mean ‘safe.’ One of the chief goals of good government is to make the public aware of information that is necessary to protect the public health."Wisconsin Attorney General Peggy A. Lautenschlager said, "In this day and age, how can the EPA allow pesticide companies to label hazardous chemicals contained in pesticide products as ‘inert’ ingredients? These chemicals have been shown to be hazardous and are anything but ‘inert.’ As a result of EPA’s current policies, scores of pesticide product labels are deceptive and misleading to unwitting pesticide users who rely on the assumption that these products are safe because they are regulated by the EPA. This dangerous charade has to stop."Currently, inert ingredients, which make up as much as 99% of many common pesticides, are not listed on the pesticide labels. The chemicals used as inerts include many that EPA has officially determined, under other statutory programs, to be hazardous or toxic. Among these are "inert" ingredients known or suspected to cause cancer, central nervous system disorders, liver and kidney damage, and birth defects, as well as a variety of short term health and ecological impacts. A consumer would never know about their presence in consumer products under current labeling requirements.

First Air Quality Permit Requirements Proposed for Industry in 'Indian Country'

"The proposed federal implementation plan (FIP) would require new industrial facilities and facilities making modifications to obtain air quality permits. These facilities have not previously been subject to air permitting requirements in Indian Country. The proposed plan includes two NSR rules:1) The minor NSR rule would apply to new and modified minor stationary sources and to minor modifications at major stationary sources in Indian Country. A minor source is one that generally emits less than 100 tons per year of a target air pollutant. A major source emits more than 100 tons.2) The nonattainment major NSR rule would apply to new major stationary sources and major modifications in areas of Indian Country that do not meet national air quality standards. Under the proposed plan, EPA would have the authority to review these permit applications, or to delegate review to tribes able to take on the responsibility. An EPA-approved tribal plan for implementing NSR could be used in place of the FIP. EPA will accept comment on this proposal for 60 days following publication in the Federal Register.


DOT Revises Regulations to Adopt New Definitions

. These amendments included revising the definitions of “hazmat employee” and “hazmat employer,” modifying shipping paper retention requirements, providing a security plan exception for farmers, and replacing the term "exemption" with "special permit." Another final rule issued August 8 corrects an error in the December 9 rule. In addition, DOT is clarifying the amendments applicable to shipping paper retention requirements, the definition of "hazmat employer,'' and the transition from "exemption" to "special permit."

Little Switches Add Up to Big Cuts in Mercury Pollution

Although the U.S. automobile industry halted use of mercury-containing light switches in 2002, an estimated 67.5 million switches are currently in use in older vehicles and available for recovery. Each year, the steel industry recycles more than 14 million tons of steel from scrap vehicles, the equivalent to nearly 13.5 million new automobiles, making vehicles the most recycled consumer product and the steel industry one of the largest consumers of recycled materials in the world. Together with existing state mercury switch recovery efforts, this program will reduce mercury air emissions from the furnaces used in steel making – the fourth leading source in the United States after coal-fired utility boilers, industrial boilers and gold mining. Under the program, automobile dismantlers will remove the mercury-containing light switches from scrap vehicles prior to the vehicles being flattened and then shredded at scrap recycling facilities. The program will also provide a financial incentive for those who remove mercury switches. Domestic releases and uses of mercury have decreased over the last 25 years. U.S. mercury air emissions have been reduced by 45 percent since 1990, and mercury use in products and processes decreased 83 percent between 1980 and 1997. Recent efforts to further cut mercury emissions have targeted industrial boilers, chlorine production facilities and coal-fired power plants. EPA now has standards in place limiting mercury air releases from most major known industrial sources in the United States. EPA and these stakeholders announced the program at an event in Chicago to mark the signing of the agreement that establishes the program.

$6,500 Penalty for Delayed Reporting of Contaminant Levels in Drinking Water Well

Honey Farms, Inc., a corporation based in Worcester, Mass., has entered into a consent order with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) for failing to provide notification within the proper timelines established under the regulations of a condition that could pose an imminent hazard.Honey Farms has been maintaining a drinking water treatment system, and providing bottled water, to address methyl-tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) contamination of a residential drinking water well located near their gasoline station in Charlton. During routine monitoring of this well, MtBE, a gasoline additive, was detected at levels significantly above the Massachusetts drinking water standard.Honey Farms immediately addressed the treatment system by bringing levels back to acceptable standards and eliminating the imminent hazard. However, the company did not notify MassDEP in the manner and timeframe required by regulation. MassDEP assessed a penalty of $6,500 for this violation."Timely notification of contamination to drinking water wells is critical, especially when those detections exceed the drinking water standards," said Martin Suuberg, director of MassDEP's Central Regional Office in Worcester. "We are confident that Honey Farms has taken steps to improve internal communication to prevent this from reoccurring."

Demolition Company Fined $100,000 for Asbestos and Mercury Violations

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has fined Winona Excavating Company Inc., Michael's Demolition and Recycling Inc. and their principals, David Griffin and Michael Andring, all of the Winona area, $100,000 for violating a court order prohibiting the company from performing demolition work and for submitting numerous false notifications to the MPCA. In April 2002, the operators of Winona Excavating entered into a court-approved settlement of an administrative penalty order for alleged violations involving improper handling and removal of asbestos and failure to remove mercury-containing devices. The operators certified to the Third Judicial District Court that they would no longer perform demolition work. Within days of signing that agreement, the owners created a front company with a name that combines the "MPCA" abbreviation and an abbreviation for a common obscenity, and proceeded to do demolition work under the assumed name using Winona Excavating equipment and employees. The MPCA filed a legal complaint to stop the misrepresentations, which included 30 counts consisting of false representation, breach of contract and failure to notify for demolition. Winona Excavating and the MPCA recently reached an agreement to resolve the situation. To reduce the $100,000 penalty, Winona Excavating has completed a supplemental environmental project estimated at approximately $40,000. The SEP involved hauling and disposing of contaminated soil from a residential property built on an abandoned dump site. Winona Excavating (including all subsidiary companies and company officers) also agreed to cease demolition work for one year. In addition, the company will ensure that its employees are trained in proper asbestos handling and removal. Once the year has passed and the approved training has taken place, Winona Excavating may return to demolition work. The company will pay the remaining $60,000 of the penalty in installments during the next year. When calculating penalties, the MPCA takes into account how seriously the violation affected the environment, whether it was a first time or repeat violation, whether the violation was intentional and how promptly it was reported to appropriate authorities. It also attempts to recover the calculated economic benefit gained by failure to comply with environmental laws.

Ohio EPA Proposes to Change Requirements for Drinking Water and Wastewater Plant Operators

Ohio EPA is proposing to change rules regarding the certification of drinking water and wastewater facility operators. An information session and public hearing is set for August 17, 2006. The information session and public hearing will be held at Ohio EPA, Lazarus Government Center, conference room A, 122 South Front Street, Columbus. The information session will begin at 4 p.m. followed by a public hearing at 5 p.m., ending when all comments have been heard. For many years, Ohio has had a certification program to ensure that qualified, knowledgeable people are operating drinking water and wastewater treatment plants. To become certified, the operator must meet criteria regarding experience and education, then successfully pass a state exam. In 2003, Ohio EPA began updating the certified operator rules. The first proposed revisions in 2004 generated so much interest that Ohio EPA created a stakeholder group to review the issues. The group developed clearer and more consistent requirements for certified operators. The major revisions being proposed include:

 

  • Adding a requirement to provide a certified operator for wastewater treatment systems serving fewer than 250 people
  • Revising the classification systems for all facilities
  • Clarifying requirements for minimum staffing time for operators in charge of both drinking water and wastewater facilities
  • Changing the eligibility requirements to sit for certification exams
  • Adding a new classification of wastewater operator (limited class A)
  • Creating performance standards for certified operators
  • Reducing the number of training hours a certified operator must have spent in approved formal or informal training if they hold multiple certificates
  • Giving Ohio EPA authority to approve contact hour providers
  • Prohibiting applicants from taking examinations when they have been convicted or have plead guilty to criminal charges involving falsification, fraud or terrorism, or those with suspended or revoked certificates
  • Making revocation of an operator's certificate permanent
  • Adding a provision that prohibits falsifying or submitting incorrect information on an application or examination

Written comments can be mailed to Ohio EPA, Division of Drinking and Ground Waters, Lazarus Government Center, Attention: Holly Kaloz, P.O. Box 1049, Columbus, Ohio 43216-1049, . All comments received by August 17, 2006, will be considered. Participants intending to testify during the public hearing are encouraged to register by using the above contact information. A responsiveness summary will be prepared and sent to all commentors who registered their address. Ohio EPA will review all comments and make any applicable changes before the rules are finalized. Copies of the proposed rules are available from Ohio EPA by calling Donna Roberts at (614) 644-2755. Please request the "proposed operator certification rules." 

PPG Fined for Hazardous Waste Violations

PPG Industries, Inc., has agreed to pay a $14,700 penalty to settle hazardous waste violations at its facility in Barberton, Ohio.The company stored several drums of hazardous waste longer than allowed under Ohio's hazardous waste regulations. In addition, during several inspections Ohio EPA found PPG Industries failed to properly label some hazardous waste and used-oil containers, was unable provide documentation of annual personnel training for one employee, and failed to maintain a copy of all hazardous waste records at the facility. No releases of hazardous waste were evident during the inspections. PPG Industries has addressed the violations and now operates in compliance with Ohio's hazardous waste regulations. PPG Industries manufactures specialty chemicals and synthetic paper products and operates a hazardous waste container storage area to temporarily store generated wastes including spent solvents, used filters and wastewater treatment plant sludge. The settlement includes $11,760 to Ohio's hazardous waste cleanup fund and $2,940 to Ohio EPA's clean diesel school bus program.

Horsehead Corp. $110,000 for Violations at Beaver County Facility

The Penn. Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has fined Horsehead Corp. $110,000 for Clean Air Act violations at several buildings at the company’s zinc production facility in Potter Township, Penn. “This penalty sends a message to Horsehead Corp. that failing to control fugitive emissions is something DEP, and Pennsylvania residents, simply will not tolerate,” DEP Southwest Regional Director Ken Bowman said. “Horsehead must abide by all environmental laws, or face the consequences of their violations.” In addition to the penalty, Horsehead will provide a written corrective action plan and report quarterly to the DEP on the progress of its implementation. Between Aug. 10, 2005, and April 11, 2006, Horsehead was cited nine times for fugitive emissions - the release of pollutants into the air from facility equipment during the production process.  The $110,000 penalty is in addition to a $34,000 penalty Horsehead is paying for fugitive emissions found at the facility in 2004.

 

 

TCEQ Approves Fines Totaling $335,508

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) recently approved penalties totaling $335,508 against 48 regulated entities for violations of state environmental regulations.Agreed orders were issued for the following enforcement categories: eight air quality, one Edwards Aquifer, three field citations, one industrial hazardous waste, one industrial waste discharge, one licensed irrigator, two multi-media, two municipal solid waste, six municipal waste discharge, eight petroleum storage tank, five public water supply, and four water quality. In addition, there were default orders as follows: one multi-media, two petroleum storage tank, one municipal solid waste, one public water supply, and one water quality.The TCEQ's next agenda meeting is scheduled for August 23. 

DOT Issues 61 Civil Violations totaling $361,670

The DOT’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) recently issued a list of the cases it closed in February and March for violations of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) (49 Code of Federal Regulations Parts 171 – 180). For 2006, PHMSA has closed a total of 82 hazardous materials civil penalty cases and collected $487,023 in penalties.It is the duty of PHMSA's inspection and enforcement staff to improve compliance with the safety and training standards of the HMR by inspecting companies and individuals who offer hazardous materials for transportation or who manufacture, maintain, repair, recondition or test packages authorized for transporting hazardous materials.Are you confident that you are in compliance with all of the applicable requirements that DOT cited these companies for? 

 

 

New Technology Reduces Truck Idling Emissions

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty officially flipped the switch to inaugurate anti-idling technology at a truck stop near Carlisle, Cumberland County. The secretary also presented IdleAir Inc. with a $40,000 grant to support the implementation of the pollution control equipment at other sites in Pennsylvania.IdleAire’s Advanced Truckstop Electrification (ATE®) technology provides heating, cooling and electricity to truckers who are resting. The system eliminates the need to keep rigs idling for hours at a time. The technology can be connected to the cab of a tractor-trailer using a $10 window adapter.Estimates show one truck hooked up to IdleAire equipment for 10 hours – which is the federally mandated rest period for every 11 hours a trucker spends behind the wheel – would eliminate 234 pounds of diesel emissions. If all 72 IdleAire spaces at the Petro truck stop were in use for a 10-hour period, the system would eliminate 16,848 pounds of diesel emissions that day.Over the course of a year, the 72 spaces used just 10 hours a day would reduce diesel emissions by 6.2 million pounds, which is equivalent to eliminating almost 2 million truck-miles from Pennsylvania each year. The spaces are available 24 hours a day.A 2004 study estimated as many as 13,000 trucks rest long-duration in Pennsylvania per day. Eliminating this idling would reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) by about 12 tons per day, or about 600 pounds per truck per year. NOx is a component of both ground-level ozone and fine particle pollution, each of which are associated with respiratory ailments.Average big rigs use about one gallon of fuel per hour when idling. At a cost of about $2.95 per gallon, a trucker can save more than $3,700 per year on fuel costs alone by eliminating down-time idling. If the 72 spaces at the Petro truck stop near Carlisle are used 10 hours a day, that saves 262,800 gallons of diesel fuel each year.IdleAire provides filtered central heating and air conditioning, and a range of communications and entertainment options to the cab of a truck by a concentric hose with a service module that locks into the vehicle’s passenger window. Installation takes just a couple of minutes.