HARRISBURG, Pa. — Heavy-duty diesel vehicles traveling in Pennsylvania are now barred from idling more than five minutes per hour.

The Diesel-Powered Motor Vehicle Idling Act, which was signed by the governor last fall, took affect last Friday and applies to diesel-powered motor vehicles engaged in commerce with a gross weight of 10,001 pounds or more (that are not specifically exempted).

Trucks with sleeper berths are exempted during times of low and high temperatures until May 1, 2010. State officials say this gives truckers time to make alternative arrangements for sleeping, such as using an electrified truckstop parking space or buying anti-idling APU units.

Each year, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, heavy-duty trucks idling in the state emit about 3,200 tons of nitrogen oxides, a pre-cursor of smog and ground-level ozone; 210,000 tons of carbon dioxide; and 65 tons of fine particulate matter by burning diesel fuel.

Repordedly, 11 truckstop electrification systems are now available across the state. For an online map of system locations, visit www.idleaire.com and click on "Locations."