VERMONT IDLING NEWS UPDATES
MEDIA & NEWS

IDLE-FREE VT applies for a Vermont Community Climate Change Grant
LOCAL EFFORTS

No idling signs sprout up in Middlebury.
MEDIA & NEWS

Idle-Free VT is now
Idle-Free VT Inc., a nonprofit corporation.
Unnecessary vehicle idling--perhaps you've observed a person sitting in their parked car with the engine running minute after minute, chatting on the cell phone... a pick up truck idling while unattended... a non-refrigerated truck left running as a delivery is made... or a caravan of motor coaches, spewing diesel fumes for an extended period at one of Vermont's tourist attractions. Little are these drivers aware of this harmful and wasteful practice that occurs all over Vermont, every day.

Idle-Free VT Inc. is a Vermont non-profit corporation and grassroots campaign formed to address the issue of unnecessary vehicle idling (idling when parked or in drive through lanes) in Vermont. Its main goal is to raise awareness of idling. It also advocates enactment of Vermont idling legislation. Idle-Free VT seeks to achieve its goals through media exposure, forming coalitions, petitioning, working with legislators, and encouraging local activism (town ordinances or resolutions and school policies).

Unecessary vehicle idling is no fringe concern. Collectively, Vermonters can make a real difference in the quality of life of our state by avoiding needless idling. Here's how we benefit:

• SAVE MONEY:
Plain and simple, idling gets 0 MPG. A warmed up, parked vehicle in almost any circumstance should not idle for more than 30 seconds. At this point, it’s better to shut the engine off and restart when ready to drive. And when warming up a cold engine, even in subfreezing weather, 30 seconds usually suffices. Driving is the best way to warm up.

• IMPROVE AIR QUALITY/IMPROVE OUR HEALTH:
Despite the latest in advanced emission controls for light-duty vehicles, factors such as vehicle age, state of maintenance, wear of emissions components and colder weather lead to increased harmful emissions at idle that can affect our respiratory systems. Medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, many equipped with diesel engines and less restrictive emissions controls, cause signifcantly higher levels of harmful emissions when idling.

• SLOW THE ADVANCE OF CLIMATE CHANGE:
Vehicle exhaust emissions also contain carbon dioxide (CO2) a leading contributor to climate change. Vermont's transportation greenhouse gas emissions, on a per capita basis, are nearly double the national average. At the very least, this threatens Vermont's ski, maple sugaring and tourism industries.

• IMPROVE SECURITY:
Our dependence on foreigh oil poses a threat to our economic and strategic security. Idling reduction is part of the formula to help make Vermont and America energy independent.

• OBEY VERMONT'S LAWS:
In certain locales and in certain instances (such as allowing a vehicle to idle while unattended in public) it is illegal to let a vehicle idle when parked.

For complete details on the concerns of idling--and what you can do about it--visit the IDLING FACTS page.

IDLE-FREE VT BUMPER STICKER

Raise people's awareness with this bumper sticker! It's available (along with other items) through the Cafepress.com "Make Your Own Stuff" offering.

Visit the Apparel and Prints page for details.
TO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY:

Fleet operators can implement a policy that informs operators and monitors idling. Green Mountain Coffee Roasters and UPS practice idle-reduction policies that save them thousands of dollars annually.

Entities that serve patrons (who may tend to idle excessively on the premises) can be a responsible member of the community by thoughtfully educating their patrons about unnecessary idling. VSECU (Vermont State Employees Credit Union) is doing so by posting signs about the concerns of idling at their drive up ATM locations.

Visit the BUSINESS IDLE FREE page for details.

NOTE: Many links within this website are pdf documents. If these documents are not viewable, the likely solution is to download the free Adobe Reader.3
Web design and construction by Wayne Michaud©2009
Idle-Free VT artwork may be used freely for NON-PROFIT purposes only.