16.956 Diesel truck idling reduction grants.

(1) Definitions. In this section:

(a) “Common motor carrier" has the meaning given in s. 194.01 (1).

(b) “Contract motor carrier" has the meaning given in s. 194.01 (2).

(c) “Idling reduction unit" means a device that is installed on a diesel truck to reduce the long-duration idling of the truck by providing heat, air conditioning, or electricity to the truck while the truck is stationary and the main drive engine of the truck is not operating.

(d) “Post-1998 diesel truck engine" means a heavy-duty highway diesel engine that complies with the air pollutant emission standards promulgated by the federal environmental protection agency under 42 USC 7521 for engine model year 1998 or a later engine model year.

(e) “Private motor carrier" has the meaning given in s. 194.01 (11).

(f) “Truck tractor" has the meaning given in s. 340.01 (73).

(2) Authority. Beginning on July 1, 2006, and ending on June 30, 2020, the department may award a grant to an eligible applicant for the purchase and field testing of one or more idling reduction units as provided in subs. (3) and (4).

(3) Eligible applicants. An applicant is eligible for a grant under this section only if all of the following apply:

(a) The applicant is a common motor carrier, contract motor carrier, or private motor carrier that transports freight.

(b) The applicant is headquartered in this state.

(c) The applicant pays 50 percent of the eligible costs for each idling reduction unit covered by a grant under this section without the use of grants, loans, or other financial assistance from this state or from a local governmental unit in this state.

(d) The applicant agrees to collect information relating to the operation and performance of each idling reduction unit covered by a grant under this section, as required by the department, and to report that information to the department.

(4) Grants.

(a) Except as provided in par. (b), the costs that an applicant has incurred or will incur to purchase and install an idling reduction unit on a truck tractor that is owned and operated by the applicant and that has a post-1998 diesel truck engine are eligible costs under this section if the use of the idling reduction unit will result, in the aggregate, in a decrease in the emissions of one or more air contaminants, as defined in s. 285.01 (1), from the truck tractor on which the idling reduction unit is installed or in a decrease in the use of energy by the truck tractor on which the idling reduction unit is installed.

(b) The following costs are not eligible costs:

1. The cost of shipping an idling reduction unit from the manufacturer to the facility where the idling reduction unit will be installed on the truck tractor.

2. The cost of operating an idling reduction unit.

3. The cost of maintaining an idling reduction unit.

(cm) Subject to par. (d), the department may make grants under this section from July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2020, of 50 percent of the eligible costs for an idling reduction unit installed on a truck tractor, unless the department has previously awarded a grant under this section for an idling reduction unit installed on the truck tractor.

(d) In any fiscal year, the department may not pay to any one applicant more than 20 percent of the amount appropriated under s. 20.505 (1) (sa) for the fiscal year.

(e) The department may pay a grant over more than one fiscal year, subject to the availability of funds and to par. (d).

(5) Information. The department shall collect information from recipients of grants under this section relating to the operation and performance of idling reduction units. The department shall summarize the information collected and make it available to common motor carriers, contract motor carriers, and private motor carriers in an accessible and cost-effective manner, such as on department's Internet site.

(5m) Rules. The department shall promulgate rules for the administration of the program under this section.

(6) Sunset. Subsections (2) to (4) do not apply after December 31, 2021.

History: 2005 a. 25; 2007 a. 20; 2009 a. 28; 2011 a. 32 ss. 3335 to 3338; Stats. 2011 s. 101.45; 2013 a. 20 s. 1710; Stats. 2013 s. 16.956; 2013 a. 173; 2015 a. 55.