From: BPSH HSE
Sent: Monday, March 24, 2003 12:36 PM
To: G BPSH CB; G BPSH DP Facility All; G BPSH TCC; G BPSH TCR
Subject: Vehicle Idling Restrictions
This notice was previously sent out to specifically affected groups. Everyone within BPSH is required to abide by this ruling and to ensure that our vendors and contractors are in compliance also. In summary, this spells out restrictions on vehicle idling during the "summer" months, April 1 through October 31. Contact the BPSH HSE Environmental Team for more information.
BP South Houston (All locations)
Impact: This rule implements idling limits for gasoline and diesel powered engines in heavy-duty motor vehicles in the Houston-Galveston Area (HGA). Activities where impacted vehicles idle in our plant: trucks in line at our gates for entry, weigh-out or vehicles in staging areas for loading or unloading of materials.
Timing: Compliance date is April 1, 2003 for all BP Facilities in HGA.
Key Elements:
- This rule implements idling limits for gasoline and diesel powered engines in heavy-duty motor vehicles in the HGA. Heavy-duty motor vehicles will not be allowed to idle for more than 5 consecutive minutes when the vehicle is not in motion during April 1 through October 31.
- Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) indicates that this proposal will eliminate 0.92 TPD NOX (Nitrogen Oxide Air Pollutant).
The following exemptions apply:
- Motor vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 14,000 pounds or less.
- Motor vehicles forced to remain motionless because of traffic conditions beyond operator control.
- An emergency or law enforcement vehicle.
- A vehicle providing a power source necessary for mechanical operation other than propulsion, passenger compartment heating or air conditioning.
- A motor vehicle where the primary propulsion engine is being operated for maintenance or diagnostic purposes.
- A motor vehicle being operated to defrost a windshield.
TCEQ declined to add case-by-case review for idling restrictions nor would they add an emission reduction plan in lieu of these requirements. Furthermore, TCEQ declined to allow drivers to idle their vehicle to operate the heating and air conditioning systems to stay comfortable in extreme Texas temperatures.
Adopted Revisions to Chapter 114 as published in the Texas Register, January 12, 2001
