EPA to slap Bay State firm with idling fines

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that a waste removal firm in eastern Massachusetts is facing EPA fines for exceeding the state’s idling limit. In a complaint filed by EPA’s New England office, Capitol Waste Services, Inc. of East Boston may be fined up to $107,300 for excessive engine idling of Capitol’s garbage trucks at the company’s truck lot in Revere, MA, which is adjacent to a residential area.

An EPA inspector observed 100 instances of excessive idling of Capitol’s refuse trucks over two days at this facility, according to the report. The action is part of an ongoing effort by EPA to reduce unnecessary idling.

“Pollution from idling engines contributes to ozone smog, fine particle pollution, and increased carbon dioxide emissions – all of which are critical concerns for peoples’ health and well-being in New England,” said Robert Varney, regional administrator of EPA’s New England office. “Our actions to enforce the anti-idling regulations are sending a message that excessive idling will not be tolerated.”


EPA not only issues fines for excessive idling but also offers assistance to companies and facilities to implement idling alternatives. Go to www.epa.gov/region1/eco/diesel for more information.