LEGISLATURE TO VOTE ON “HEALTHY AIR BILLS” AT SPECIAL MEETING --- TO TAKE PLACE MONDAY, FEB 27th AT 11AM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 23, 2006

Contact: Thomas J. Abinanti
Tel: (914) 328-9000 or (914) 995-2821

Westchester County Legislator Thomas J. Abinanti (D, I, WF- Greenburgh), chair of the Legislature's Committee on the Environment & Energy, has announced that the Westchester Legislature will consider two "Healthy Air" bills at a Special Board Meeting on MONDAY, FEB 27TH AT 11AM .

The two proposed local laws would limit idling by diesel-powered trucks and buses to three minutes and regulate the disposal of cell phones. The measures are part of a series of "Healthy Air" measures being considered by the Westchester Legislature designed to clean up Westchester's air.

The series of "Healthy Air Bills" result from a year-long review of Westchester's air quality by the "Healthy Air Task Force" created by Abinanti in 2004 to provide proposals for County action to reduce particulate matter and other harmful carcinogens that now pollute Westchester's air.

The Healthy Air Task Force consists of members of the Federated Conservationists of Westchester County, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, American Lung Association, American Cancer Society and Environmental Defense.

The first bill (reduce the allowable idling time) was suggested by the Task Force. The second (mandate cell phone recycling) was proposed by the County Executive.

"These bills are two more tools to make our air healthier," said Abinanti.

THE PRESS AND THE PUBLIC ARE INVITED TO ATTEND!!