New Yorker says reporting idling vehicles makes him over six figures
New York City — Two years ago, a New Yorker who calls himself "Streeter" left his job in marketing to become a soldier in the war on idling.
"Shortly after 6, I'm out on my bike, looking for idling trucks," Streeter said. "I'm essentially biking 6, 7, 8, 9 hours a day."
In New York City, it's against the law for trucks and non-city buses to idle — keeping the engine running while stationary — for more than three minutes. However, the law is rarely enforced.
That's where the big money comes in for Streeter and others who report idlers. Under the Citizens Air Complaint Program, they can record idling trucks or buses, report them and keep 25% of any fines, which typically range from $350 to $600.
Streeter says he makes in excess of six figures reporting idlers.
George Pakenham, who's spent much of the last two decades working to clean up the air in New York City, helped make the law happen.
"It's a public health issue," Pakenham said.
A former Wall Street banker, Pakenham watched his brother, a non-smoker, battle Stage 4 lung cancer. Then he started wondering about the number of vehicles sitting idle and polluting the air.
"So I walked up to the limo driver, tapped on the window and said, 'How about just shutting your engine off?' And he did," Pakenham said.
He took his frustrations to city legislators. In 2017, they passed the law allowing people to report idling vehicles. Other cities are following suit — Los Angeles and Philadelphia are working on similar programs to stop idling.
Pakenham says New York City has made just under $70 million off the program.
But catching idlers isn't always easy money. And truck drivers feel "abused" over the program, said Zach Miller, a lobbyist for the Trucking Association of New York.
"They find this to be a bounty hunter program," Miller said.
When asked if truckers could just cut their engine off as a solution, Miller said, "They do not understand the intricacies of driving a truck in New York City. It is very hard work. There are trucks that have to operate their lift gate 15, 20 times a day."
"Drive a truck in New York City for a week, and then come back to me and tell me that's an easy solution," he said.
Pakenham still believes it's a major health issue.
"Would you like to stand behind a bus for five minutes and breathe? I don't think so. I don't think anyone would."
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Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
New Yorker says reporting idling vehicles makes him over six figures
New York City — Two years ago, a New Yorker who calls himself "Streeter" left his job in marketing to become a soldier in the war on idling. "Shortly after 6, I'm out on my bike, looking for idling trucks," Streeter said. "I'm essentially biking 6, 7, 8, 9 hours a day." In New York City, it's against the law for trucks and non-city buses to idle — keeping the engine running while stationary — for more than three minutes. However, the law is rarely enforced. That's where the big money comes in for Streeter and others who report idlers. Under the Citizens Air Complaint Program, they can record idling trucks or buses, report them and keep 25% of any fines, which typically range from $350 to $600. Streeter says he makes in excess of six figures reporting idlers. George Pakenham, who's spent much of the last two decades working to clean up the air in New York City, helped make the law happen. "It's a public health issue," Pakenham said. A former Wall Street banker, Pakenham watched his brother, a non-smoker, battle Stage 4 lung cancer. Then he started wondering about the number of vehicles sitting idle and polluting the air. "So I walked up to the limo driver, tapped on the window and said, 'How about just shutting your engine off?' And he did," Pakenham said. He took his frustrations to city legislators. In 2017, they passed the law allowing people to report idling vehicles. Other cities are following suit — Los Angeles and Philadelphia are working on similar programs to stop idling. Pakenham says New York City has made just under $70 million off the program. But catching idlers isn't always easy money. And truck drivers feel "abused" over the program, said Zach Miller, a lobbyist for the Trucking Association of New York. "They find this to be a bounty hunter program," Miller said. When asked if truckers could just cut their engine off as a solution, Miller said, "They do not understand the intricacies of driving a truck in New York City. It is very hard work. There are trucks that have to operate their lift gate 15, 20 times a day." "Drive a truck in New York City for a week, and then come back to me and tell me that's an easy solution," he said. Pakenham still believes it's a major health issue. "Would you like to stand behind a bus for five minutes and breathe? I don't think so. I don't think anyone would." Teen questioned after family's quadruple murder Iranians evacuate capital Tehran, some say the regime is frightened Parents, brother of slain Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman speak about her death
CBS News
14 hours ago
- CBS News
New Yorker says reporting idling vehicles through city program makes him over six figures
New Yorker says reporting idling vehicles makes him over six figures New York City — Two years ago, a New Yorker who calls himself "Streeter" left his job in marketing to become a soldier in the war on idling. "Shortly after 6, I'm out on my bike, looking for idling trucks," Streeter said. "I'm essentially biking 6, 7, 8, 9 hours a day." In New York City, it's against the law for trucks and non-city buses to idle — keeping the engine running while stationary — for more than three minutes. However, the law is rarely enforced. That's where the big money comes in for Streeter and others who report idlers. Under the Citizens Air Complaint Program, they can record idling trucks or buses, report them and keep 25% of any fines, which typically range from $350 to $600. Streeter says he makes in excess of six figures reporting idlers. George Pakenham, who's spent much of the last two decades working to clean up the air in New York City, helped make the law happen. "It's a public health issue," Pakenham said. A former Wall Street banker, Pakenham watched his brother, a non-smoker, battle Stage 4 lung cancer. Then he started wondering about the number of vehicles sitting idle and polluting the air. "So I walked up to the limo driver, tapped on the window and said, 'How about just shutting your engine off?' And he did," Pakenham said. He took his frustrations to city legislators. In 2017, they passed the law allowing people to report idling vehicles. Other cities are following suit — Los Angeles and Philadelphia are working on similar programs to stop idling. Pakenham says New York City has made just under $70 million off the program. But catching idlers isn't always easy money. And truck drivers feel "abused" over the program, said Zach Miller, a lobbyist for the Trucking Association of New York. "They find this to be a bounty hunter program," Miller said. When asked if truckers could just cut their engine off as a solution, Miller said, "They do not understand the intricacies of driving a truck in New York City. It is very hard work. There are trucks that have to operate their lift gate 15, 20 times a day." "Drive a truck in New York City for a week, and then come back to me and tell me that's an easy solution," he said. Pakenham still believes it's a major health issue. "Would you like to stand behind a bus for five minutes and breathe? I don't think so. I don't think anyone would."
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Newsweek
Map Shows Gas Prices Rises in US States
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Drivers are paying a little more to fill their tanks this week than seven days ago, according to the latest data by the American Automobile Association (AAA). Those in Indiana, Virginia and Delaware will see the biggest increases. Nationwide, a gallon of regular gas cost an average of $3.140 on Monday, up from $3.124 a week before, on June 9. However, it was still down from $3.192 a month earlier and from $3.446 a year earlier. "With Israel and Iran trading attacks, oil prices have surged to multi-month highs—setting the stage for additional price hikes at gas pumps across the country," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, in a recent report. "As long as tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate, the risk of further impacts on oil prices remains high." Where Are Prices Up? Indiana saw the biggest weekly gas price jump in the country, with the average cost going from $2.995 last week to $3.157 on Monday. It was followed by Virginia (from $2.906 to $3.028), Delaware (from $2.877 to $2.978), South Carolina (from $2.750 to $2.850) and Illinois (from $3.349 to $3.436). Prices increased week-over-week in 38 states and the District of Columbia, a majority across the country, while they fell in only 12 states. Where Are They Down? Gas prices were down in 12 states across the country, with drivers in Florida, Michigan and California experiencing the biggest drops. In Florida, the state which reported the largest price fall, the average price for a gallon of regular gas went from $3.068 last week to $2.945. It was followed by Michigan (from $3.158 to $3.082), California (from $4.703 to $4.654), Arizona (from $3.277 to $3.251) and Nevada (from $3.824 to $3.799). Despite the modest price fall, California still has the highest gas prices in the country, on average, followed by Hawaii ($4.472) and Washington ($4.372). Will Gas Prices Climb Or Fall In the Coming Months? Analysts have warned that gas prices in the U.S. would probably rise in the coming months as a result of the unfolding conflict between Israel and Iran. Last Friday, Israel launched a surprise attack on Iran, with the goal of encouraging Iranians to overthrow their "evil and oppressive regime," as Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. Iran responded by attacking Israel in return, and the two have been exchanging strikes since. Already on Friday, oil prices jumped as a result of these deadly exchanges between the two Middle East countries. Should the conflict expand to the entire region, which is one of the main world producers of oil, the impact on the global market could be even more significant. "Gas prices will likely start to rise across much of the country later this evening in response to Israel's attacks on Iran, which have caused oil prices to surge," De Haan wrote on X last week. "For now, I expect the rise to be noticeable, but limited. Approx. 10-25c/gal thus far, but this could change." In his report published on Monday, De Haan said that "motorists should prepare for what will likely be modest price increases—for now—but the situation has the potential to worsen at any moment."
