Car idle pollution no joke
By ROBERT LINNEHAN
The Cherry Hill Sun
8/9/2008

Council resolved to enforce state statute limiting idling vehicles to a maximum of three minutes

It almost sounds like the start to a really corny joke.

A respiratory therapist, two Girl Scouts and an environmental activist walked into a Council meeting…

But this unlikely trio helped usher in another green resolution for the township when they petitioned Council to enact a clean air community initiative.

Council unanimously agreed to accept the resolution, which will now enforce a state statute that limits idling in vehicles for a maximum of three minutes for both diesel and gasoline engines.

More than a month ago, Mike Richter, a respiratory therapist, 10-year-old Girl Scouts Shelby Robbins and Brooke Godorov, and Lori Braunstein from Sustainable Cherry Hill, approached Mayor Bernie Platt to ask him to support the clean air initiative.

“They showed me how this local legislation would enhance our quality of life by creating a cleaner atmosphere and cleaner air for all of us to breathe,” he said. “After listening to their presentation, I wholeheartedly agreed with them. Clean air is important to me, and I believe we can leave a better place for our children by adopting and enforcing this legislation.”

By enforcing the no-idle state statute, township officials believe it can reduce Cherry Hill’s carbon footprint. The resolution states that idling more than 10 seconds uses more fuel and emits more pollutants than turning off your engine, waiting and then turning it back on again. Also, idling for more than 10 minutes uses about as much fuel as it takes to drive five miles.

According to a state Department of Environmental Protection law, municipalities can fine motorists up to $250 for idling.

Richter, who spoke briefly after the resolution was passed, said information about idling should be more available for drivers. Most people don’t know the environmental impact idling has on their air, he said, and the information should be available in all car manuals.

However, the highlight of the meeting was when the two young Girl Scouts addressed Council. They expressed their concerns over idling cars near their elementary school – Bret Harte – and the impact it was having on the young lungs of the students waiting to be picked up after school.

“We became interested in Idle-Free Schools while doing a school project in fourth-grade. We told our Girl Scout troop about the problem, and they wanted to help too,” Robbins and Godorov said. “So we made posters for Bret Harte. We asked our principal, Mr. Cafagna, if we could put up posters at school and he said it was OK.”

The Girl Scouts displayed their posters and thanked Council for passing the clean air initiative.

Members of Council thanked the four activists for sharing their opinion at the meeting and opening their eyes to an unseen problem in the township.

“It was fascinating and very education, thank you all. I didn’t even know we had a state law on the books about this problem,” Councilwoman Shelley Adler said. “Just that little bit of information will make me think twice about idling when I pick up my kids from school.”

Council Vice President N. John Amato praised the girls for taking a stand in an important environmental issue.

He thanked Council for passing the initiative and also thanked Braunstein and Richter for their work on the initiative.

“With young ladies like Brooke and Shelby, Cherry Hill Township and this country are in great shape for the future,” he said.