ATA Endorses Granger’s Idling-Reduction Bill

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merican Trucking Associations Tuesday endorsed a bill that would give tax credits to trucking companies that purchase idling-reduction equipment.

The "Idle Reduction Tax Act of 2006” was introduced last week in the House by Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas). (Click here for previous coverage.)

"The motor carrier industry is once again taking a lead role in creating a cleaner environment, and financial incentives will make the necessary equipment more affordable and therefore more widely distributed," said ATA President Bill Graves.

The trucking industry supports efforts to reduce air pollution and fuel consumption, ATA said in a statement in which it called for members of Congress to co-sponsor Granger’s bill, HR 4672.

The measure proposes a 25% tax credit of up to $1,000 for each idle-reduction device purchased by fleets.

Such equipment provides essential truck functions like heating and air conditioning that are normally powered by a truck's main engine when stationary.

The credit would be available to all trucking companies.

"This will result in a much larger impact than we could expect to see otherwise,” Graves said. “We greatly appreciate the leadership of Rep. Granger in championing this issue and urge her colleagues . . . to co-sponsor” the bill.