How Millburn Township Could Help the Environment and its Residents

·         Broad Topic: Improving the environment by reducing air and noise pollution.

·         Idea: Use electric powered blowers, trimmers, and chainsaws instead of gasoline powered ones

·         Thesis: Converting to the electric powered versions will reduce carbon dioxide equivalents by 283 metric tons per year and substantially reduce noise pollution
o   283 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents =
  =703,403 miles driven per year
  = electricity consumed by 48 homes per year
  = 31,899 gallons of gasoline per year
·         Facts:
o   Air pollution:
  Lawn & Garden equipment emissions generate
·         132% of the particulate matter of total passenger vehicle emissions
·         56% of carbon monoxide of total passenger vehicle emissions
  This equipment uses cheaper dirtier, two stroke engines

o   Noise pollution:
  Damages Hearing- A sound's loudness is measured in decibels (dB). In general, sounds above 85 are harmful
  Leaf blower/ chainsaw create noise in the 106-115 decibels
·         For comparison:
o   A rock concert is 120-129 decibels
o   Normal conversation 60 decibels
  These products produce low frequency noise that penetrates walls and many types of hearing devices
  Gas powered blowers can affect 15x as many households than an electric powered equivalent
o   0ver 100 cities have restricted the use of these items     
  Maplewood NJ banned it from May-September 2020
  Westfield and Montclair have restricted the use for spring/summer 2021
  West Orange has created a petition to ban this equipment
  Millburn Township is falling behind other towns
o   If we don’t correct this problem, Small Off-Road Engines (SORE) will create more pollution than passenger cars:
  By 2031, SORE in the South Coast Air Basin will be generate more than 2x the emissions of passenger cars

o   Distraction:
  Anecdotally, we here constant complaints from friends and neighbors
·         I can’t schedule meetings on certain days due to the noise
·         I find it hard to do my school work due to the noise
·         It becomes a constant distraction in the background
·         I cannot open my windows in the house due to the noise

·         Counter arguments:
o   The major complaint is cost.  We have substantial documentation to show why this is a false claim
o   Will put small businesses out of business FALSE:

Studies show that these businesses will actually save money 
·         case studies upon request 
 Surveys show that consumers are willing to pay more for environmentally friendly products
·         Survey upon request
o   Electric substitutes are much more expensive than gasoline FALSE
  these products are affordable and comparable in price
case studies upon request