Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Comment and Response Document for the 

State Implementation Plan to Incorporate the 

Diesel-Powered Motor Vehicle Idling Act: Act 124 of 2008 

January 2010

On August 15, 2009, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection (PA DEP or Department) published a notice of public hearing
and a 30-day written comment period on the proposed State Implementation
Plan (SIP) revision to incorporate the Diesel-Powered Motor Vehicle
Idling Act.  Three public hearings were held for this SIP revision.  The
first public hearing was held at the PA DEP’s Southcentral Regional
Office, 909 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA on Thursday, September 17,
2009, at 1:00 p.m.   The second public hearing was held at the PA
DEP’s Southeast Regional Office, 2 East Main Street, Norristown, PA on
   Friday, September 18, 2009, at 1:00 p.m.  The third public hearing
was held at the PA DEP’s Southwest Region Office, 400 Waterfront
Drive, Pittsburgh, PA on Friday, September 18, 2009, at 1:00 p.m.  The
comment period closed on September 25, 2009.

This document summarizes the written comments received prior to the
close of the public comment period.  No testimony was presented at the
public hearings.  The list of commentators is set forth below:  

COMMENTATORS:

1.	Glenn Usechak

	701 Ridgeway Avenue

	Grove City, PA 16127

2. 	Rachel Filippini

	Executive Director, Group Against Smog and Pollution

	5604 Solway Street, #204

	Pittsburgh, PA 15217

COMMENTS AND RESPONSES

	

COMMENTS: 

1.	COMMENT:  Commentator expressed support for the Diesel-Powered Motor
Vehicle Idling Act as an effective tool to reduced diesel emissions. (1)
 

	RESPONSE:  The Department appreciates the support and agrees that the
act is an effective tool to reduce diesel emissions.  

2.	COMMENT:  Commentator suggests increased cooperation between
Pennsylvania, Ohio, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to
further reduce emissions and the transport of emissions from diesel
idling. (1)

	RESPONSE:  The incorporation of the Diesel-Powered Motor Vehicle Idling
Act enables the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to enforce the
provisions of the act, in addition to local and state entities. 
Pennsylvania frequently participates in regional efforts to reduce
emissions of harmful pollutants.  Pennsylvania’s Diesel-Powered Motor
Vehicle Idling Act is based on a Model State Law developed by the EPA
after consultation with a variety of stakeholders including state air
quality organizations and industry representatives 

3. 	COMMENT:  Commentator supports the incorporation of the
Diesel-Powered Motor Vehicle Idling Act into the Pennsylvania SIP. (2)

	RESPONSE:  The Department appreciates the support.  

4. 	COMMENT:  Commentator states incorporation will help Pennsylvania
achieve attainment in areas not meeting federal health-based National
Ambient Air Quality Standards for fine particulates and ozone. (2) 

	RESPONSE:  The Department agrees.  Incorporating the act into the
Pennsylvania SIP will enable the Department to take credit in future SIP
revisions for emission reductions resulting from compliance with the
act.  

