SB 6386 - DIGEST

(SEE ALSO PROPOSED 1ST SUB)

Recognizes that the air quality around idling heavy duty diesel vehicles and large vessels can contribute to unhealthy conditions.

Recognizes that idling vehicles contribute to driver fatigue through exposure to noise, vibration, and elevated levels of carbon monoxide and other pollutants.

Declares that the state can assist in the reduction of idling vehicles and vessels by providing infrastructure to support the use of auxiliary power through a system of stand-alone and on-board electrification projects.

Declares an intent to provide assistance to owners and operators of heavy duty diesel vehicles and large vessels which contribute to areas of concentrated air pollution when operating their engines while in stationary positions such as truck stops and ports. The assistance will take the form of providing infrastructure to support the electrification of these facilities and seeking federal assistance to aid the owners and operators of vehicles and vessels to modify their equipment to accept auxiliary power when stationary.

Declares an intent to support the initial electrification projects in areas where the current conditions are especially harmful to human health and where the emissions are generated in environmentally sensitive areas.

Directs the department to develop, in consultation with local air authorities, the department of transportation, and the Washington public ports association, a list of prioritized sites where stand-alone electrification projects should be initiated for heavy duty diesel vehicles. The sites shall be selected in areas where these vehicles commonly operate their engines, while stationary, for lengthy periods of time.

Provides that, in order to provide the legislature with additional information on cost and benefits of additional electrification projects, the department shall conduct a study regarding the development of on-board electrification projects for heavy duty diesel vehicles, ports, airports, or railyards.

Provides that, in conducting the study, the department shall consider and identify: (1) The cost-effectiveness of each type of project in terms of the estimated amount of pollution prevented for the estimated amount of funding necessary to complete the project;

(2) Which existing areas are suspected to be the greatest hazards to human health;

(3) The number and location of areas used for idling vehicles and vessels that are located in zones designated by the environmental protection agency as in nonattainment for any air pollutant, former nonattainment areas, or areas at risk of receiving a nonattainment designation;

(4) Existing locations where frequent heavy duty diesel vehicle and vessel idling occurs in known environmentally sensitive areas;

(5) The estimated amount of fuel that could be conserved at the different types of projects;

(6) The types of projects that would have the greatest impact on noise reduction in urban settings; and

(7) Which types of projects would be most suitable for colocating a renewable energy project as the energy source.

Directs the department to seek financial assistance from federal and nonstate sources to fund stand-alone and on-board electrification infrastructure projects, and to assist owners and operators of heavy duty diesel vehicles and large vessels to modify their on-board equipment to accept auxiliary power when stationary.