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