NJ Stepping Up Anti-Idling Efforts

Nine New Jersey counties will receive a combined total of $110,000 for an Anti-Idling Overtime Project which is designed to educate the public on the negative environmental impacts from excessive idling of motor vehicles, encourage residents to help improve the state’s air quality and better enforce anti-idling rules.

The grant cash will be doled out to county environmental health agencies under the County Environmental Health Act (CEHA).

Personnel from those agencies will conduct anti-idling activities, which includes education, outreach and enforcement of state environmental regulations, during off-hours and weekends, as a supplement to the anti-idling efforts already performed during normal work hours.

New Jersey department of Environmental Protection commissioner Bob Martin says, “This is a great way to involve local officials and residents in a statewide quest to reduce diesel emissions.”

Idling happens when a motor vehicle with a diesel or gasoline engine is running but is not in motion. Excessive idling causes an unnecessary release of contaminants into the air, including fine particulates and air toxins. It also wastes fuel and natural resources. Idling vehicles can burn as much as one gallon of fuel per hour.

Martin explains, “Improving air quality has been an environmental hallmark of the Christie Administration and here is an opportunity for everyone to personally join in that effort by limiting the idling of their vehicles.”