AUGUSTA (AP) – A bill that awaits final passage in the Maine Senate would help truckers who use energy-saving alternative power units.

The bill, which received final House approval Thursday, takes into account the average 400-pound weight of APUs in determining truck weight limits.

APUs allow truckers to run heat or air conditioning in their cabs without running the truck’s engine, which saves fuel and reduces emissions.

Rep. Ken Theriault, who’s sponsoring the bill, said truckers currently have to reduce their cargo loads to accommodate the extra weight of APUs, and that means a loss of revenue. The Madawaska Democrat says that by allowing the tolerance, truckers can save fuel, reduce emissions and continue to haul full cargo loads.