WHITE PLAINS - Westchester County lawmakers last night made it illegal for drivers to keep their vehicles running for three minutes or more while parked.
The goal is to reduce dangerous emissions like carbon dioxide that contribute to Westchester's poor air quality and to global warming, said Thomas Abinanti, D-Greenburgh, the bill's sponsor.
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"Climate change is the defining issue of the 21st century," Abinanti said. "We can do our part by not adding to the problem.
"Idling uses more gas and is worse for vehicles than turning your car off. Most idling is not only wasteful, but unnecessary."
Violators could be fined up to $250.
At last night's public hearing, speakers supported the measure - some speakers even said efforts to clean the air needed to be stronger and have a clear education component.
"Emission controls are an extremely important part of reducing the carbon footprint," said Charles Davey, a member of the Tarrytown Environmental Advisory Committee. "An idling law is much needed in Westchester."
The bill, which is expected to be signed by County Executive Andrew Spano, broadens an existing anti-idling ban that prohibits diesel vehicles like trucks and buses from running while parked.
This law also shifts enforcement responsibility to county and local police - it had been under the auspices of the Health Department and largely unenforced, lawmakers said.
The American Lung Association, which this year gave Westchester's air quality mostly poor and a failing grades, has expressed its support for the idling ban on the grounds that too many residents are exposed to dirty air.
The goal is to reduce dangerous emissions like carbon dioxide that contribute to Westchester's poor air quality and to global warming, said Thomas Abinanti, D-Greenburgh, the bill's sponsor.
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"Climate change is the defining issue of the 21st century," Abinanti said. "We can do our part by not adding to the problem.
"Idling uses more gas and is worse for vehicles than turning your car off. Most idling is not only wasteful, but unnecessary."
Violators could be fined up to $250.
At last night's public hearing, speakers supported the measure - some speakers even said efforts to clean the air needed to be stronger and have a clear education component.
"Emission controls are an extremely important part of reducing the carbon footprint," said Charles Davey, a member of the Tarrytown Environmental Advisory Committee. "An idling law is much needed in Westchester."
The bill, which is expected to be signed by County Executive Andrew Spano, broadens an existing anti-idling ban that prohibits diesel vehicles like trucks and buses from running while parked.
This law also shifts enforcement responsibility to county and local police - it had been under the auspices of the Health Department and largely unenforced, lawmakers said.
The American Lung Association, which this year gave Westchester's air quality mostly poor and a failing grades, has expressed its support for the idling ban on the grounds that too many residents are exposed to dirty air.
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