Energy Bill Subsidizes Diesel Retrofits

Measure Allows Waiver for Idle-Reduction Units

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nder a measure passed by Congress July 29, $100 million in funding would be made available to owners of older heavy-duty diesel trucks to help them meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s emission standards for new trucks that take effect in 2007.

The funding provisions — part of the energy bill approved by Congress and expected to be signed Monday by President Bush — would be available to owners of trucks model year 1998 and older.

The measure would also provide for:

• A weight-limit waiver for trucks using idle-reduction technologies.

• Funds to help improve the air quality of certain municipal fleets.

• Keeping the federal excise tax for a super-single tire at its current rate.

For the full story, see the Aug. 8 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.