A new Department of the Environment proposal would prohibit nonroad diesel engines in Washington D.C. from idling more than a few minutes at a time. The rule would apply to most bulldozers, off-highway mobile cranes, garden tractors, commercial lawn mower and string trimmers as well as similar devices.
The rules, if accepted, would not take effect until fall at the earliest.
Exemptions to the proposed rule would include:
- Testing, servicing and repairing equipment
- When nonroad diesel equipment must intermittently move forward to perform work
- When necessary to ensure safe operation of equipment and safety of operator
- For state or federal inspection
- For up to five consecutive minutes to operate heating equipment when ambient temperature is at or below freezing
- In emergency or public safety capacity
(more on D.C.'s proposed rule restricting diesel engine idling...)
