No-Idling Resolution
Type: Resolution
Source File: http://www.cleanwateraction.org/pdf/njef/noidlingresolutionmuni.pdf
Sample Text:
Idle Free New Jersey
No-Idling Resolution for Municipalities
WHEREAS, emissions from gasoline and diesel powered vehicles contribute significantly to air pollution, including greenhouse gases, ozone formation, fine particulates, and a multitude of potentially harmful pollutants that can trigger an asthma attack and other ailments; and
WHEREAS, asthma is a significant public health concern in NJ, especially among children (up to 25% of NJ’s school age children are asthmatic) and the elderly; and
WHEREAS, for every gallon of gasoline used, the average car produces about 20 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2), the largest contributor to greenhouse climate change, with one-third of greenhouse gas emissions coming from the transportation sector; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Argonne National Laboratory estimates that about 20 million barrels of diesel fuel are consumed each year by idling long-haul trucks (estimated truck emissions total about 10 million tons of CO2, 50,000 tons of nitrogen oxides, and 2,000 tons of particulates); and
WHEREAS, we can avoid producing unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions and exposure to air toxics by reducing or eliminating wasteful vehicle idling; and
WHEREAS, petroleum-based gasoline and diesel fuel are nonrenewable fuels and should be used wisely and not wasted; and
WHEREAS, idling is not generally beneficial to a vehicle’s engine because it wears engine parts; and
WHEREAS, idling more than 10 seconds uses more fuel and emits more pollutants than turning a warm engine off and on again; and
WHEREAS, idling for 10 minutes uses as much fuel as it takes to travel 5 miles; and
WHEREAS, vehicle idling occurs in locations (e.g. school grounds, parking lots, drive-through windows, business centers, etc.) where New Jerseyans can be exposed to air pollutant emissions; and
WHEREAS, moving beyond New Jersey’s existing no-idling code* of 3 minutes would significantly improve public health, air quality, reduce costs and greenhouse gas emissions; and
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that this NJ municipality_____________________________________:
Supports the adoption of “Idle Free Zones” by government agencies, schools, businesses, and other organizations by:
- Encouraging any gasoline or diesel powered motor vehicle* to turn off their engines after 10 seconds if they plan to remain at that location for more than 30 seconds.
- Ensuring idling does not occur at idle-frequent locations such as school drop-off and pick up, drive through windows, gas stations, parking lots, business centers, etc.
- Maintaining municipal vehicles to eliminate any visible exhaust.
- Enforcing existing violations and penalties under NJ’s existing no-idling code*.
- Supporting broad education of the public about the health, environmental and economic impacts of idling and ways to reduce idling.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Compilation of State, County, and Local Anti-Idling Regulations, New Jersey, p. 51-61, http://www.epa.gov/smartway/documents/420b06004.pdf