[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 130 (Thursday, July 8, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41254-41256]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-15534]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-7783-3]


Truck Stop Electrification Codes and Electrical Standards; Notice 
of Data Availability

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice of data availability; request for public comment.

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SUMMARY: Long-haul truck drivers often idle their engines to provide 
heat, air conditioning, or electrical power while they rest in the 
sleeper compartment. They may also idle their engines to keep engine 
oil and fuel warm in cold weather to avoid engine-starting problems. 
This long-duration idling contributes to air pollution and fuel waste. 
The President, in his May 2001 National Energy Policy, directed the 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of 
Transportation (DOT) to develop a program to reduce long-duration truck 
engine idling.
    EPA recognizes that various technologies, strategies, and behaviors 
can effectively reduce long-duration idling while providing the truck 
driver with essential needs such as heat or air conditioning. One such 
technology is known as ``truck stop electrification'' (TSE). TSE allows 
the electrical grid to supply power to truck on-board components or 
stationary components for heating, cooling and other needs.
    As an emerging technology, TSE requires installing stationary 
infrastructure to allow the electrical grid to provide power to the 
truck. In some TSE configurations, the truck is equipped with on-board 
components; in other cases, the truck needs no on-board modifications. 
As TSE has gained popularity, the need for greater government-industry 
cooperation has become apparent. Several truck and engine manufacturers 
have TSE truck designs, and two TSE technology manufacturers have 
deployed stationary technology at several locations. Standardizing TSE 
technology is a concern for the long-haul trucking industry. Further, 
truck manufacturers, truck stop operators, and States and Federal 
agencies need to know that if they assist in TSE deployment to reduce 
emissions and conserve fuel, the interface between the truck and 
stationary infrastructure will need to be compatible across the 
country.
    Many different and divergent codes and standards potentially could 
be applied to TSE, including those set forth by the following 
organizations:

--National Electrical Code (NEC) providing standards for electric 
vehicle, recreational vehicle (RV) and marine power pedestals along 
with on-board wiring standards for RV's.
--Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) providing standards for high 
voltage primary system wiring design and components.
--Underwriters Laboratories (UL) providing standards for 120 VAC 
distribution wiring, plugs, receptacles, protective devices and on-
board appliances.
--National Electrical Manufacturer's Association (NEMA) providing 
standards for plug and receptacle outlet configurations.
--Canadian Standards Association (CSA) and Canadian Electrical Code 
(CEC) providing standards similar to that of UL and NEC but for 
application in Canada.

    Some of these standards-setting organizations have established 
preferred voltage/current ratings, plug types, and truck cab external 
connection locations. For example, SAE standard J1673 defines design 
and use requirements for primary high voltage wiring systems aboard on-
road vehicles, but lacks explicit guidelines for distribution of 120-
Volt alternating current (AC) originating from grid-based electrical 
outlets for use on secondary power systems, as in the case of TSE. 
Additionally, the RV wiring standards listed in NEC and CSA allow for 
wiring practice that may not be suitable for the high vibration 
environment of a truck or the facility designs found at truck stops. 
For example, the use of insulation

[[Page 41255]]

displacement connections with solid wire is an excepted practice with 
RV's that when exposed to high vibration will cut into the wire with 
the potential of being hazardous. Truck manufacturers have already 
dealt with local code enforcement organizations that claim oversight of 
the manufacturing installation of standard AC systems within their 
jurisdictions. But to date there is no consensus on a uniform approach 
to addressing the on-board TSE equipment as well as the stationary 
equipment requirements.
    On October 27, 2003, EPA and DOT held the first national workshop 
on developing consistent TSE codes and electrical standards. The goal 
of the workshop was to examine the issues surrounding TSE standards and 
to try to generate an initial consensus on a consistent, national 
standard for TSE as it applies to long-haul trucks. This was 
accomplished by examining a variety of existing codes and standards, 
holding a facilitated discussion of the concerns and issues as seen 
from the various perspectives of the long-haul trucking industry, and 
developing an initial national recommendation or action plan dealing 
with TSE standards.
    The purpose of this Notice of Data Availability is to seek your 
input on the workshop recommendations. TSE standardization requires 
input from various industry and standards-setting organizations. The 
comments and suggestions received from this notice will be used to 
better develop a national consensus. Once consensus is reached on many 
of the above issues and choices, a standards-setting organization will 
need to formally undertake the effort of establishing a national 
standard.

DATES: Submit comments on or before August 9, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted electronically or by mail to the 
contact below or through EPA Dockets at http://www.epa.gov/edocket by 
searching on the appropriate docket identification number. EPA will 
make available for public inspection at the Air and Radiation Docket 
written comments received from interested parties. The official public 
docket is the collection of materials that is available for public 
viewing at the Air and Radiation Docket in the EPA Docket Center, (EPA/
DC) EPA West, Room B102, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC. 
The EPA Docket Center Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 
4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The 
telephone number for the Public Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and the 
telephone number for the Air and Radiation Docket is (202) 566-1743. 
The reference number for this docket is OAR-2003-0226.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Lonoff, Transportation and 
Regional Programs Division (6406J), U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20460. Telephone: 
(202) 343-9147, e-mail address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Current Codes and Standards

    Based on the workshop, the following currently applicable standards 
were identified as relevant to TSE:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Document
      Managing organization           identifier             Title
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Society of Automotive Engineers.  SAE J1654.........  High Voltage
                                                       Primary Cable.
Society of Automotive Engineers.  SAE J1673.........  High Voltage
                                                       Automotive Wiring
                                                       Assembly Design.
Society of Automotive Engineers.  SAE J1742.........  Connections for
                                                       High Voltage On-
                                                       board Road
                                                       Vehicle
                                                       Electrical Wiring
                                                       Harnesses.
National Electrical               Standards           Wiring Devices--
 Manufacturers Association.        Publication No.     Dimensional
                                   WD 6.               Specifications.
National Fire Protection          NFPA 70...........  2002 National
 Association.                                          Electric Code.
National Fire Protection          NFPA 1194.........  Standard for
 Association.                                          Recreational
                                                       Vehicle Parks.
National Fire Protection          NFPA 70 Article     Branched Circuit
 Association.                      220.                and Feeder
                                                       Calculations.
Underwriters Laboratories.......  Standard No. 62...  Flexible Cord and
                                                       Fixture Wire.
Underwriters Laboratories.......  Standard No. 817..  Cord Sets and
                                                       Power Supply
                                                       Cords.
Underwriters Laboratories.......  Standard No. 943..  Ground Fault
                                                       Circuit
                                                       Interrupters.
Canadian Standards Association..  CEC, Part 1.......  2002 Canadian
                                                       Electric Code.
Canadian Standards Association..  C22.2 No. 21-95     Cord Sets and
                                   (R1999).            Power Supply
                                                       Cords.
Canadian Standards Association..  C22.2 No. 49-98...  Flexible Cords and
                                                       Cables.
Canadian Standards Association..  Z240.6.2/C22.2 No.  Electrical
                                   149-99.             Requirements for
                                                       Recreational
                                                       Vehicles.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

II. Potential TSE Code and Electrical Standards

    Based on discussions with and comments from key participants in the 
trucking and standard-setting industries, the following areas have been 
identified as needing attention. We seek your comments and suggestions 
on the following issues. As you write your comments, please indicate 
the section you are commenting on (e.g., On-Board System Power Needs). 
Please ensure your comments are relevant to the issues presented

i. On-Board System Power Needs

    To best determine uniform off-board power requirements, we need to 
better understand the on-board power needs. Truck drivers will operate 
various on-board components, such as an electric heating/air 
conditioning system, engine block heater, TV/VCR, refrigerator, and 
lights to name just a few. While not all of these on-board components 
operate simultaneously, and the power needs will fluctuate throughout 
the year, we need to determine a range of kilowatt (kW) power. What is 
the kW power needs? Is it <3 kW, 3-6kW, or >6 kW? Describe the types of 
devices and their kW needs when operated? Should we use peak power 
needs? Should we follow existing codes for feeder and demand 
calculations or does this technology warrant specific codes to follow? 
What are the future trends? Will power needs increase or decrease?

ii. Off-Board Power Needs

    Based on certain assumptions of on-board power needs described 
above, what voltage and amperage configuration will supply the on-board 
needs? Should it be 120V, 240V single phase, 208V three phase, 208V 
single phase or some other voltage? Please be specific so as not to 
confuse 240V with 208V or other voltages that often get defined as 
equivalent. What amperage configuration will best provide the power 
required? Is it 20, 30, 50, or some other amperage? What are the power 
needs for transportation refrigerator units? Most engine block heaters 
are designed to operate at 120V. Will a voltage above 120V present 
problems for the existing heaters on the market? Or does this emphasize 
the need for truck

[[Page 41256]]

OEM's to install integrated block heaters into the TSE designs?

iii. Connection Compatibility and Safety

    What plug configuration should be used? Should the block heater 
connection be considered as part of the truck-mounted TSE system? 
Should power management be required, and if so where should it be 
installed, on the truck or within the connection facility? Should 
multiple configurations be available on a percentage of use basis, as 
is done at RV campsites? How should the user be required to interface 
with the TSE system for questions and payment?
    What type of safety considerations should be included in developing 
the TSE system? Which grounding standard should be adopted for truck 
on-board and facility systems? Should power be distributed in any 
certain manner? Should power be available at any distance away from 
vehicle? Should electrical safety measures (GFCI, fuses, breakers, 
etc.) be present on the truck, at the connection facility, in the 
connection wiring, or a combination of these? What sort of safeguards 
should be in place to verify that the driver only energizes his/her 
parking space? What safety measures (like auto-eject connectors or 
break-away connections, engine/transmission/emergency brake system 
interlocks, visual indicators, or other equipment) should be integrated 
into the TSE system to prevent structural damage, should users pull 
away while still connected? Should tamper loop monitoring be required? 
Are standards required to ensure safe power supply switching between 
on-board and off-board power sources? Should open service neutral 
protection be standardized on truck-mounted systems?

iv. System Design

    What steps should be taken to ensure that modularity of both the 
truck-mounted and the facility-based TSE is ensured? How should wiring 
systems of the truck-mounted systems delineate AC and DC wiring or high 
and low voltage wiring (color-coding)? What location on the truck 
(incorporating safety, visibility, and user preferences) should be 
designated as the standard location for the installation of the truck-
mounted TSE connection (e.g., driver side, passenger side or front of 
vehicle, fender or cab area)? How should cab design issues be 
approached when determining the impact on cab power requirements? 
Should a standardized cab living space be identified to determine the 
vehicle electrical load requirements (heating, ventilation, and air 
conditioning [HVAC] system capacity and cab insulation levels)? What 
weight allowances should be permitted for truck-mounted TSE equipment?

    Dated: June 29, 2004.
Suzanne Rudzinski,
Director, Transportation and Regional Programs Division.
[FR Doc. 04-15534 Filed 7-7-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P