ACR Approves Landmark Carbon Offset Methodology for Emissions Reductions through Truck Stop Electrification

 

ARLINGTON, Va. (October 2, 2012) – The American Carbon Registry (ACR), a nonprofit enterprise of Winrock International, announced today the approval of a revolutionary carbon offset methodology to quantify Emission Reductions through Truck Stop Electrification (TSE). The 2011 Environmental Defense Fund report “The Good Haul” highlighted TSE as one of 10 technologies that can reduce freight-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Developed jointly by ACR and IdleAir, the methodology provides the opportunity to tap the carbon market to accelerate emissions reductions from a critical segment of U.S. freight transportation — long-haul trucking. Drivers of long-haul trucks are required by the Federal Highway Administration to park and rest after a certain amount of drive time. These layovers and rest periods typically occur at truck stops and rest areas. During the time when drivers rest, they often idle their engines in order to maintain a comfortable temperature and to power electronics and appliances such as televisions, laptops and microwaves. Although idling occurs year-round, it peaks in extreme temperatures when air conditioning and heating are more critical. Truck idling produces harmful emissions that affect the air quality and potentially the health of truck drivers as well as people in adjacent communities. These emissions include EPA-regulated criteria pollutants in addition to carbon dioxide (CO2), which is responsible for 90 percent of the emissions from idling trucks and contributes to global warming. TSE technology, such as that developed by IdleAir, allows truck drivers to turn off their engines while maintaining a comfortable cabin temperature and enjoying the use of TV, the internet and other electronics. IdleAir is designed to be simple to use: A driver finds an IdleAir location, pulls into an IdleAir parking space, and installs the reusable plastic window adapter, which connects to the IdleAir electrification unit. IdleAir TSE technology not only reduces GHG emissions from engine idling, but allows truck drivers to sleep better without the noise, vibration, and exhaust fumes from idling. Better rested drivers are safer on the road. “As a [long-haul truck] owner-operator, I love IdleAir,” explains customer Jeff Robinson. “It leaves me rested and happy, not to mention it saves wear on my engine. Lots of people don’t realize how much idling shortens engine life.” IdleAir currently operates over 900 parking spaces at 30 sites in 12 states. However, despite the numerous benefits of using the IdleAir technology, the up-front installation costs have hindered widespread expansion. Currently, less than 1 percent of all extended truck parking spaces are equipped with TSE. “IdleAir is very enthusiastic about the approval of the new ACR methodology,” said Ethan Garber, president and CEO of IdleAir. “This opens the door for us to harness the environmental benefits of TSE to help fund the expansion of our network. Hopefully this methodology will encourage further greening of America’s highways and reduce our dependence on imported oil.” Argonne National Laboratory estimates that drivers idle for an average of 2,100 hours per year. Applied to the estimated 680,000 long-haul drivers nationwide, idling accounts for nearly 11.5 million tons of GHG emitted annually. Based on a 2011 analysis by ICF International, expanding TSE infrastructure and reducing idling presents an opportunity for CO2 abatement that could amount to nearly 4.1 million tons of reductions annually in the U.S. “American Carbon Registry is pleased to announce approval of this rigorous framework for quantifying emissions reductions from truck stop electrification,” said Nicholas Martin, ACR chief technical officer. “We recognize the environmental and health benefits of using TSE technology and hope that the methodology will catalyze investments in TSE expansion.” #### Contact: Mary Grady, American Carbon Registry (ACR) Tel: (805) 884-1961 Email: MGrady@winrock.org Ethan Garber, IdleAir Tel: (917) 673-6466 Email: Ethan.Garber@idleair.com About the American Carbon Registry The nonprofit American Carbon Registry (ACR), an enterprise of Winrock International, is a leading carbon offset program recognized for its strong standards for environmental integrity. Founded in 1996 as the first private voluntary registry in the world, ACR has over 15 years of experience in the development of rigorous, science-based carbon offset standards and methodologies as well as in carbon offset issuance, serialization and transparent online transaction and retirement reporting. ACR has set the bar for transparency and integrity that is the market standard today and continues to lead carbon market innovation. About IdleAir IdleAir provides America’s hard-working long-haul truck drivers an alternative to idling their engines with imported petroleum during rest periods. IdleAir service allows truck drivers to turn off their diesel engines and APU’s and still enjoy heating, cooling, standard electric inside and outside the cab, Satellite TV, internet, and many of the comforts of home — all while saving money and getting better sleep without the noise, vibration, and exhaust fumes from idling.