Idling Law
Less idling time is good for the environment because it reduces air pollution and noise, improves fuel economy, and saves money for diesel operators and consumers. 6 NYCRR Subpart 217-3 prohibits heavy duty vehicles, including non-diesel and diesel trucks and buses with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of more than 8,500 pounds, from idling for more than five minutes at a time. The idling regulation is enforced by DEC Conservation Officers. Fines range from $500 to $18,000 in the case of a first violation.
Exceptions are when a vehicle is:
- Stuck in traffic
- Idling for maintenance purposes
- Powering an auxiliary function or apparatus, such as a concrete tumbler
- Involved in an emergency situation
- A diesel-fueled truck operating in an ambient air temperature below 25°F for more than 2 hours
Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) Regulation - One-Time Fleet Reporting Requirement
New York State adopted California's Advanced Clean Trucks Rule in December 2021. The regulation includes a one-time reporting requirement for large entities that operate or dispatch vehicles with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) greater than 8,500 lbs. in New York. The one-time fleet reports were due from applicable fleets by December 1, 2023.
Entities required to complete and submit the report are those that:
- had gross annual revenues greater than $50 million in the U.S. for the 2019 tax year, including revenues from all subsidiaries, subdivisions, or branches, and had one or more vehicles under common ownership or control that were operated in New York in 2019; OR
- were a fleet owner in the 2019 calendar year that had 50 or more vehicles under common ownership or control; OR
- were a broker or organization that dispatched 50 or more vehicles into or throughout New York in the 2019 calendar year; OR
- were a New York government agency, including all state and local municipalities that had one or more vehicles that were operated in New York in 2019; OR
- were a federal government agency that had one or more vehicles that were operated in New York in 2019.
Reporting exemptions are provided for school and transit buses, military tactical vehicles, vehicles awaiting sale, emergency vehicles, and light-duty vehicles dispatched but not owned by transportation network companies.
Below are final versions of the reporting template and guidance document. (revised January 20, 2024). Fleet owners are required to use these documents for official fleet reporting. All applicable entities must submit their completed reporting template to DEC by emailing it to [email protected].
Final Reporting Form (Excel) (revised January 20, 2024)
Final Guidance Document (PDF) (revised January 20, 2024)
New York State Clean Diesel Grant Program (NYSCDGP)
The goal of the NYS Clean Diesel Grant Program (NYSCDGP) is to improve local air quality by reducing harmful diesel exhaust emissions. These harmful diesel exhaust emissions come from:
- older trucks
- locomotives
- marine vessels
- other diesel-powered equipment
NYSCDGP has received funding through the Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) since 2008. DERA funds provide opportunities and incentives to public and private entities with eligible projects. Authority for DERA grant funding comes from the Energy Policy Act of 2005. NYSCDGP projects have reduced emissions across the State, including potential Environmental Justice neighborhoods. DEC continues to work on DERA-funded projects to try to meet the State's air quality goals. A detailed summary of these projects is available as a downloadable PDF.