JOHNSON ANNOUNCES GRANTS FOR TRUCK STOP ELECTRIFICATION
Grants promote less truck idling, fuel use

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 26, 2006

Columbus, OH -- Lieutenant Governor Bruce Johnson today announced the availability of $400,000 in grants for a project designed to outfit selected Ohio truck stops with equipment to reduce engine idling. The equipment would allow truckers to control the temperature inside their cab overnight without having to idle their engines.

“By encouraging the development of a system that allows for cab temperature control without idling, we are not only helping long-haul truck drivers, but the transportation industry and environment, too,” said Johnson, who also serves as director of the Ohio Department of Development.

The $400,000 was made available by a grant from the United States Environmental Protection Agency and is available to one or more businesses that supply and install truck stop electrification facilities. The successful bidders will have to equip up to 50 parking spaces with stationary anti-idling technology, collect and report data on its utilization, participate in a case study about the effectiveness of the project and match the grant funds with at least 50 percent of the total project costs.

More information, applications and details about the Request for Proposal are available at: http://www.odod.state.oh.us/cdd/oee/Transportation.htm. Selection of a proposal is anticipated by early summer with the opening of the new facility before the end of 2007.