Help New Jerseyans Breathe Cleaner Air
NJEF recently celebrated a victory, when Acting Governor Codey signed a diesel engine emission reduction bill (S1759/A3182) into law on Thursday, Sep 8, 2005. The law will require: 1) the retrofitting of all public diesel-powered vehicles both on and off the road (school buses, garbage trucks, NJ transit and commuter buses) with low-emission equipment; 2) the use of ultra-low diesel fuel by 2006; and 3) improvements in the anti-idling enforcement regulations.
Ultimately, it will reduce diesel emissions by more than 500 tons per year and save New Jersey up to $1.4 billion annually in health care and diesel-pollution related costs. Diesel particulates can cause lung damage, premature death, cancer, and can aggravate respiratory conditions such as asthma and bronchitis. However, for the retrofits to happen, voters must approve it by voting YES on the state’s “Ballot Question No. 2,” which mandates that a portion of the existing corporate business tax will pay for the retrofits. This will not be a new corporate tax, but will reallocate existing money that the voters already approved of in 1996 for a variety of environmental measures. The money will reimburse fleet owners 100% of the cost for installing emission-reducing equipment. TAKE ACTION TO REDUCE DIESEL POLLUTION! 1) Vote YES on Ballot Question No. 2 on November 8, 2005! This will mean neither the state, towns, nor school districts would have to raise any new taxes to accomplish the goal of retrofitting all public diesel powered vehicles. The retrofit law will not go into effect unless you vote YES on Ballot Question No. 2 on Nov. 8! 2) As great as the diesel bill is, we can take an even greater step forward in reducing the threats of diesel. Ask Acting Governor Codey to take this next step and sign an Executive Order that would require all state contractors to retrofit their diesel powered on and off road vehicles. Call Acting Governor Codey today!
Please let us know that you took action! Email jvickers@cleanwater.org when you're done! Thanks!
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