LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – The Protecting Lifesaving Operations during Winter Storms or PLOWS Act, introduced by Representative Bergman last May has been approved by the State Transportation Commission.
The Act (H.R. 8782) classifies snowplows as emergency service vehicles, and opts them out from the U.S. Clean Air Act regulations on diesel emmissions, reading:
Section 241(5) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7581(5)) is amended by striking ‘‘emergency vehicles,’’ and inserting ‘‘emergency vehicles (including dedicated use vehicles and machinery owned or operated by a unit of State, local, or tribal government and used primarily for the clearance of snow or ice from, or the application of anti-icing or de-icing material to, public roads, public rights-of-way, or other public property),’’.
The ultimate goal is to allow county road commissions to remove faulty emission sensors that have been said to leave some newer plows with a blocked engine and out of service. In Delta County for example, the sensor is found on more than half of its fleet of about 40 plow vehicles.
“There may be no emissions fault at all and the sensor thinks there is and that triggers the derating of the vehicle,” said State Transportation Commissioner John Peracchio. “I hope we get some movement in Washington on something that I think is pretty important to both peninsulas, and that’s keeping 100% of the snowplows on the road when they’re needed.”
The resolution passed the STC unanimously last Thursday and now awaits further review by the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
