State: New Jersey
City: Montclair
Group: NJ Environmental Federation

S1759/A3182
Diesel Reduction Bill

Requires the retrofitting of all public diesel-powered vehicles both on and off the road (school buses, garbage trucks, NJ transit, and commuter buses) with emission filters and controls. It will reduce fine particulate or soot pollution from dirty diesel engines by 20%. Signed into law in 2005.

What is the next step?

The release of a white paper focusing on our air monitoring project that was held in the City of Newark, on August 3–5. The press conference will be held on June 28, 2006 at 11 a.m. in Newark, New Jersey. Also, the creation of Kids Clean Air Zones in Urban communities which are “hotspots” for diesel pollution.Currently being implemented.

S2157/A3650
Repeal “fast track” EZ Pass for Polluters Act

Repeals most anti-environment law in state’s history. This law provides weaker protections for urban areas and was passed in 2004. The bill has a majority of legislators as co-sponsors but hasn’t moved in part because two successive governors signed open-ended moratoriums on implementing the law.

What is the next step?

Amendments to the law are expected later this year.

Repeal “fast track” EZ Pass for Polluters Act

Repeals most anti-environment law in state’s history. This law provides weaker protections for urban areas and was passed in 2004. The bill has a majority of legislators as co-sponsors but hasn’t moved in part because two successive governors signed open-ended moratoriums on implementing the law.

What is the next step?

Amendments to the law are expected later this year.

S2157/A3650
Environmental Permitting Bill

It will “fast track” environmental permits in environmentally sensitive areas by automatically approving permits if no action is taken by state agencies in 30 days. We successfully got two governors (McGreevey and Codey) to sign open-ended moratoriums on the law.

What is the next step?

Continue to fight against it being signed into law.

S1292/A2482
Mercury Switch Bill

Describe bill in a sentence or two: Mandates the removal of mercury switches from vehicles and makes auto manufacturers pay for removal and disposal. Signed into law March 2005.

What is the next step?

Currently being implemented

New Jersey Highlands Preservation Act

Describe bill in a sentence or two: Permanently protects over 150,000 acres of land from Northwest Bergen through Northern Hunterdon Counties from overdevelopment.

Signed into law in August 2004.

What is the next step?

Ensuring funding and implementation of the law…

NJ Clean Cars Act

By 2020, this bill law make zero emission vehicles a reality and dramatically reduce the risk of asthma and cancer by cutting emissions of air toxics by 23% and smog precursors (nitrogen oxides and volatile organics) by 19% more than the federal program. Signed into law in 2003, rules adopted in 2005

What is the next step?

Ensure its implementation.

New Jersey School Integrated Pest Management Act

Requires private, charter and public schools to adopt Integrated Pest Management policies, notify parents and staff 72 hours in advance of pesticide use, as well as delay reentry. Signed into law in 2002.

What is the next step?

Training New Jersey schools to meet compliance requirements under the law. Pesticides Free Zones in cities throughout the state of New Jersey.