Idling in the U.S.
Texas
Texas Facts: Was the 28th state admitted on December 29, 1845
State Abbreviation - TX
State Capital - Austin
Largest City - Houston
Area - 268,601 square miles [TX is the 2nd biggest state in the US]
Population - 20,851,820 (as of 2000) [Texas is the 2nd most populous state in the US]
Major Industries - petroleum and natural gas, farming (cotton, livestock), steel, banking, insurance, tourism
Main Rivers - Rio Grande, Red River, Brazos River
Highest Point - Guadalupe Peak, 8,749 ft (2,667 m) above sea level
Bordering States - Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma
Bordering Country - Mexico
Bordering Body of Water - Gulf of Mexico

 TX_inset.jpg
Idling in Texas Home to some of the largest concentrations of people in America, many of their industries are tied to factors that fuel idling. With so many motor vehicles things could be worse in Texas, but it seems they are taking the right steps already.

Texas is one of the largest states in the Union and arguably, everything is bigger in Texas. Luckily, idling is not as serious an issue as it is in some other states, but it is still important that strides are made in its reduction.

The state of Texas has a number of motor vehicles in operation throughout the state as well as significant border traffic with Mexico.

TEXAS IDLING ANALYSIS
Average Hours One Vehicle Spends Idling Per Year
Total Number of Vehicles Idling
Total Hours Idling
Total Annual Fuel Consumption for Idling (Gallons)
Annual Barrels of Oil Consumed for Idling
Daily Barrels of Oil Consumed for Idling
Percentage of the 20 Million Barrels a Day that are Being Used to Idle
HEAVY DUTY TRUCK 2,142
229,172
406,458,868
406,458,868
40,645,887
111,359
0.557%
SCHOOL BUS 181
30,948
5,601,557
5,601,557
560,156
1,535
0.008%
LIGHT DUTY 30
4,162,944
124,888,327
79,928,529
4,077,986
11,173
0.056%
TOTAL ALL 2,353
4,423,064
536,948,752
481,988,954
45,284,029
124,067
0.621%
Emissions GHG CO2 TONS/YEAR
HEAVY DUTY TRUCK 4,444,662
SCHOOL BUS 61,253
LIGHT DUTY 759,451
TOTAL ALL 5,265,326
 
Tax Dollars Spent on Fuel for Idling in School Bus Industry
HEAVY DUTY TRUCK N/A
SCHOOL BUS $16,804,670
LIGHT DUTY N/A
TOTAL ALL $16,804,670
TEXAS IDLING REGULATIONS
Area
Maximum Idling Time
Fines
Exemptions
Cities: Arlington, Austin, Bastrop, Benbrook, Cedar Hill, Celina, Colleyville, Dallas, Elgin, Euless, Georgetown, Hurst, Hutto, Keene, Lake Worth, Lancaster, Little Elm, Lockhart, Luling, Mabank, McKinney, Mesquite, North Richland Hills, Pecan Hill, Round Rock, Rowlett, San Marcos, University Park, Westlake
Counties: Bastrop, Caldwell, Collin, Hays, Kaufman, Tarrant, Travis, Williamson		 5 minutes, April - October (30 min for bus passenger comfort or transit operations)
Varies by jurisdiction
- 14,000 lbs GVW or less
- Traffic conditions
- Emergency or law enforcement
- To perform needed work
- Maintenance or diagnostics
- Defrost windshield
- Airport ground support
- Rented/leased vehicles
- Hours of service compliance
Source
Texas Administrative Code Title 30 x114.512. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (512) 239-1000, www.tceq.state.tx.us/

TEXAS IDLING ENFORCEMENT / REBATE PROGRAM
Organization
Program
Intent
Texas A&M Research Foundation $3,000,000 for "Truck Engine Idle Reduction Technology Demonstration Program"
Texas A&M will use grant funding to: 1) develop a methodology for choosing the best sites for idle reduction technologies; 2) create a map of high-priority areas for truck stop electrification; and 3) deploy and evaluate truck stop electrification units at several truck stops and at one port.

TEXAS PRO ENVIRONMENT POLITICIANS (2007)
Office Held
Party
Comment
Dogget, Loyd
House of Representatives
Democrat
Rated 100% by LCV*
*League of Conservation Voters, indicating pro-environment vote (2006)
State Enforcement of 400-Pound Auxiliary Power Unit Exemption to GVW Limit: 23 CFR 658.17(n)
Allows 400lb Weight Exemption Does not Allow 400lb Weight Exemption Legislation Pending to Allow Exemption
YES