Few would argue for needless waste of oil, diesel fuel and gasoline. My commercial vehicle idling reduction bill, L.D. 2056, supports energy independence and environmental responsibility while improving business profits here.

This bill is based on a model law developed in consultation with truckers, environmental advocates and other stakeholders. In recent years, state and local laws have been enacted across the country to limit the time heavy-duty vehicles could idle. These laws -- at least a dozen nationwide -- differ from location to location, making compliance difficult for truck drivers.

At a 2004 national conference on idling reduction, trucking industry representatives decried the patchwork of laws. The model law on which my bill is based was developed to create more consistency from place to place.

Idling reduction is pro-business. Lamey-Wellehan shoe store President Jim Wellehan wrote recently:

"As I watch businesses that fail to prosper, often they first fail to control expenses simply paying energy bills without realizing that they can be reduced. Congratulations on submitting this very pro-business efficiency bill. It will help focus Maine business on our great need to cut expenses."

Research and experience shows that idling reduction measures are good for profitability.

First, idling reduction saves money in fuel costs. Contrary to a popular misconception, more than 10 seconds of idling uses more fuel than restarting the engine.

Second, it reduces wear and tear on engine parts. An idling engine does not operate at optimal temperature. As a result of incomplete combustion, fuel residue condenses on engine parts like spark plugs and can even contaminate engine oil. With more engine idling there is a drop in the average plug temperature and accelerated plug fouling. This increases fuel consumption by up to 5 percent. Excessive idling can also cause water to condense in the vehicle's exhaust, leading to corrosion that reduces the life of the exhaust system.

Reducing idling is something many truckers want to do for just those reasons. Mary Ann Cupero drives a Peterbilt 379 rig and runs a truck driving school in Abbot, Maine. Cupero supports the idling reduction law and says that high price fuel has not deterred all idling. She says, "Idling is such an incredible waste in money for fuel and wear and tear on the engine."

The bill addresses concerns about heating and air conditioning comfort for drivers. It is understood that trucks often serve not only serve as work places but homes away from home. There are commercially available solutions that work to provide better comfort and rest for truckers. These include both onboard technologies and external technologies that provide power without running the engine. Unfortunately, many trucks and most truck stops are not yet equipped with these. For this reason my bill includes specific exemptions in response to these concerns.

Other exemptions accommodate the need to provide refrigeration and various work-related functions. Off-road vehicles are exempt.

Certainly, it does not take government to tell truck owners how to save money and keep equipment in optimum running condition. The reasons why all of us, including state government, have a stake in curtailing needless idling and unnecessary fuel consumption are the serious costs and impacts imposed on all. Petroleum products will be increasingly scarce worldwide.

Reserves of oil have dwindled most rapidly within U.S. borders. This is a pressing security concern. There are also real costs arising from greenhouse gases that cause global warming and other pollutants that cause health problems like asthma.

In summary, energy security, environmental impacts and economic costs are all good reasons to achieve more efficient use of energy resources. Reducing needless idling is one simple and positive step. Maine should, and soon will, join other states adopting limits on wasteful idling of commercial vehicles.

Rep. Jon Hinck, a Democrat, represents House District 118 in Portland. He serves on the Utilities and Energy Committee.