2009

DECEMBER 31: CITY OF BURLINGTON UPDATES NO IDLING ORDINANCE
The City of Burlington updated their No Idling ordinance, cutting the maximum allowed parked idling time from five to three minutes, and eliminating the April 1 to Nov. 1 season exemption by making the ordinance in force year-round. Details on the Local Efforts page.

DECEMBER 5: VERMONT CONFERENCE ON COMMUNITY ENERGY & CLIMATE ACTION
UVM Extension and the Vermont Energy & Climate Action Network (VECAN) present...A Vermont Conference on Community Energy & Climate Action Saturday, December 05, 2009, Lake Morey Resort, Fairlee, VT, from 8 to 4.

This conference is for those interested in how Vermont communities can take action to increase energy efficiency and renewable energy for municipal government, businesses, and residents. The day will include concurrent workshop presentations, regional break-out meetings, and general sessions. The goal for the day is to provide strategies communities can implement to reduce energy costs and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Featured speakers: Patrick Parenteau, Professor of Law and Senior Counsel, Environmental & Natural Resources Law Clinic, Vermont Law School; afternoon keynote will be delivered by Senator Bernie Sanders.

Idle-Free VT will have a display at the conference's Transportation table.

NOVEMBER 18: VERMONT 4-H YOUTH ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL MAKES STATE HOUSE PRESENTATION ON IDLING
The Vermont 4-H Youth Environmental Council (V4-HYEC), which chose the issue of vehicle idling in Vermont as their area of study this fall (see Oct. 3 and Nov. 7 below), made a formal presentation at the State House entitled "Vehicle Idling in Vermont". Three 4-H high school students each spoke about the issue, accompanied by a PowerPoint/slide presentation. The presentation covered many aspects of idling including why people idle, it's impacts, idling legislation, how law enforcement changes behaviors, and recommended solutions to idling. Among audience attendees were Rep. David Sharpe, Rep. Jim McCullough and Idle-Free VT director Wayne Michaud. Daniel Barlow of the Vermont Press Bureau covered the event and wrote the Times Argus story, "Advocates seek to extend idling ban to large vehicles."

NOVEMBER 7: VERMONT 4-H YOUTH ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL MEETING ON IDLING
The Vermont 4-H Youth Environmental Council (V4-HYEC) chose the issue of vehicle idling in Vermont as their main topic of concentration for this year's program. This program is a partnership of the VT/NH Schweitzer Fellowship Program, Vermont Law School, and the UVM Extension 4-H Youth Programs. Lisa Campion, Vermont Law School student, is the V4-HYEC Coordinator and Lauren Traister, UVM Extention 4-H Programs 4-H Educator. The teen group, ages 13-19, is studying all aspects of vehicle idling, both when it is necessary to idle and when not. They are researching and will be presenting environmental issues to Vermont’s legislative committees. This was one of several meetings of the V4-HYEC (see also Oct. 3 below). Rep. David Sharpe (Addison), Rep. Mike Mrowicki (Windham) and Wayne Michaud, Director, Idle-Free VT Wayne's speech were invited speakers for this meeting, which took place at Vermont Law School in South Royalton, VT.

Meeting observations: the three 4-H students immediately involved in this study have learned a lot about the issue of unnecessary vehicle idling. They are approaching the issue in different ways, such as researching ways to get idling awareness in the driver's education manual, and working with school boards to implement idling policies for vehicles other than school buses on school property. The students are very interested in learning more about diesel truck idling that will enable them to make presentations to legislators as part of their ongoing study in November and December. They will be prepared to testify as H.97--an act relating to the idling of motor vehicles over 10,000 lbs. is debated in the 2010 session. Rep. Sharpe spoke about how he became interested in the idling issue and what it takes to get a bill passed. Rep. Mrowicki in relating idling's negative impacts of climate change and health, spoke of how essential youth are to the legislative process.

NOVEMBER 7: IDLE-FREE VT COSPONSORS ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION 2009 CONFERENCE
Idle-Free VT was a co-sponsor of Enviromental Acton 2009 conference at Vermont Technical School in Randolph, VT. This event was hosted by: New England Grassroots Environment Fund, Toxics Action Center, Vermont League of Conservation Voters, Vermont Natural Resources Council, VPIRG, and Vermont Technical College. It was a day of exciting speakers (including gubernatorial candidates), workshops, and networking with activists and community leaders from across Vermont and New England to mobilize the grassroots to create healthy communities.

Idle-Free VT's co-sponsorship included a table display. Idle-Free VT's co-sponsorship fee was generously donated by the Sierra Club, Vermont Chapter.

NOVEMBER: IDLE-FREE VT CAMPAIGN RECEIVES RECOGNITION IN DEPT. OF ENERGY NEWSLETTER
The Dept. of Energy newsletter, National Idling Reduction Network News, featured Idle-Free VT in a news item: "Idling Guidance 'Straight from the Horse's Mouth'" for the newly created OWNER'S MANUALS page which shows actual owner's manual pages from various 2009 model vehicles recommending and in some cases warning that motorists limit idling to save fuel and avoid increased engine maintenance and possible engine damage.

OCTOBER 3: VERMONT 4-H YOUTH ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL 2ND MEETING ON IDLING
The Vermont 4-H Youth Environmental Council (V4-HYEC) chose the issue of vehicle idling in Vermont as their main topic of concentration for this year's program. This program is a partnership of the VT/NH Schweitzer Fellowship Program, Vermont Law School, and the UVM Extension 4-H Youth Programs. Lisa Campion, Vermont Law School student, is the V4-HYEC Coordinator and Lauren Traister, UVM Extention 4-H Programs 4-H Educator. The teen group, ages 13-19, is studying all aspects of vehicle idling, both when it is necessary to idle and when not. They are researching and will be presenting environmental issues to Vermont’s legislative committees. This was one of several meetings of the V4-HYEC (see also Nov. 7 above). Roger Lohr, Hanover (NH) Idle Awareness Campaign, and Paddy Shea, UVM Transportation Research Center were invited speakers for this meeting, which took place at Vermont Law School in South Royalton, VT.

SEPTEMBER 25: SECOND BATCH OF NEW IDLE-FREE VT PAMPHLETS & POSTERS DELIVERED TO DMV
1,750 new Idle-Free VT pamphlets and small posters were delivered to the Commissioner's office of the Dept. of Motor Vehicles in Montpelier. These are replenishing the ones initially offered to Vermont motorists in the DMV's six offices including Montpelier, Bennington, Burlington, Newport, Rutland and Springfield on Oct. 2008. The Sierra Club, Vermont Chapter has once again generously donated the printing of 2,500 pamphlets. The remaining 750 will be used by the Idle-Free VT campaign. They are the same ones as the two-sided pamphlets seen on the Idle-Free VT website Idling Facts page.

SEPTEMBER 18: BURLINGTON FREE PRESS "MY TURN": "AS WEATHER COOLS, WATCH THE IDLING"
The Burlington Free Press published an op-ed by Wayne Michaud that informs about the natural tendancy of motorists to increase vehicle idling as the weather turns colder, why it's a harmful and wasteful practice, and how minimizing it has positive effects.

SEPTEMBER 10: RUTLAND HERALD PUBLISHES "TURN OFF IDLING CARS AND TRUCKS"
With a smattering of color in the trees followed by frost on the fields, this marks the time typically in Vermont when an increase in warm up idling occurs. This Rutland Herald editorial by Wayne Michaud explains why this archaic practice is harmful and wasteful--and unnecessary.

AUGUST 12: AMERICAN LUNG ASSOC. IN VERMONT HONORS WAYNE MICHAUD
The American Lung Association in Vermont had a Volunteer Appreciation Cruise on what was a perfect weather Lake Champlain sunset cruise by Northern Lights cruises. Awards and honors were presented for recognition to lung health. Wayne Michaud, Director of Idle-Free VT, was recognized as Air Quality Champion for his continuing effort to raise awareness of unnecessary vehicle idling. Wayne is shown receiving his honor with Rebecca L. Ryan, Director, Health Promotion & Public Policy, American Lung Association in Vermont.

AUGUST 9: BURLINGTON FREE PRESS: "NO DOWNTIME FOR ANTI-IDLING ACTIVIST"
In the Burlington Free Press' new Green Mountain section of all things environmental/sustainable/localvore, Wayne Michaud and the Idle-Free VT Inc. campaign was featured in a story written by Free Press Staff Writer Matt Sutkoski

JULY 23: "HOW BEST TO DEAL WITH CARBON RAGE"
In the Addison Independent's (Middlebury, VT) Between The Lines column, "How best to deal with carbon rage", columnist Gregory Dennis told of his and other's roles in dealing with wasteful carbon emissions that contribute to climate change, featuring the example of an idling SUV outside the local post office.

JUNE 30: AMERCAN LUNG ASSOC. IN VERMONT & UVM TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH CENTER APPLY FOR IDLING REDUCTION PROJECT GRANT
The American Lung Association in Vermont (ALAVT) and UVM Transportation Research Center (UVM) has jointly submitted a proposal for an EPA Healthy Communities grant for a Vermont regional educational idling reduction project. This proposed project has grown out of an initial gathering and subsequent draft from May 20, 2008 (see box below). It will also work directly with the recently formed Vermont No Idling Coalition. The one- to two-year project would focus on two Vermont counties--Chittenden and Rutland--where population density and elevated asthma rates are issues of particular concern. As a main part of the project, community and business training events will be held to inform and educate these groups about the impact of unnecessary idling, particularly of commercial diesel engines, on the economy and public health. UVM will develop a survey tool to ascertain current policy, if any, attitudes and behaviors of Vermont businesses, especially those with fleet vehicles. Public Service Announcements would be developed to broadcast the benefits of eliminating unnecessary idling with the connection to lung health.

The ALAVT / UVM proposed project is also anticipating funding of a smaller grant from the Vermont Dept. of Environmental Conservation. The project would commence in October. EPA grant application selections will be announced July 24.

JUNE 29: IDLE-FREE VT VERMONT COMMUNITY CLIMATE CHANGE GRANT PROJECT IS NOT FUNDED
Idle-Free VT Inc. proposed Commercial Fleet Operator Idling Reduction project did not receive a grant. Some reasons why: it was difficult to compete against larger, more established organizations and municipalities. Almost all funded projects were of weatherization, boiler replacements and updated lighting. These projects offered more promise of measureable energy savings. Idle-Free VT's project, despite stipulation of installation of truck telematics data measuring devices, was perceived as more educational in value.

MAY 1: IDLE-FREE VT APPLIES FOR A VERMONT COMMUNITY CLIMATE CHANGE GRANT
Idle-Free VT Inc. Director Wayne Michaud applied for a grant from the Vermont Community Climate Change Grant Program. Idle-Free VT's proposed year-long project, "Commercial Fleet Operator Idling Reduction", will be to work directly with up to 20 Vermont fleet operators to eliminate unnecessary idling by implementing idling reduction policies that would include a combination of driver education and truck telematics (GPS type mobile tracking systems). The main demonstration model for this project will be the Green Mountain Coffee Roasters policy which for the last three years has saved them 5,500 gallons of fuel resulting in savings of $16,500 annually from idling reduction alone! This has also resulted in reduction of CO2 emissions by 61 tons annually! Grant applicant selections will be announced on or around June 15.

Idle-Free VT would like to especially thank the following in support and encouragement of this grant application: Paul Markowitz, Idle-Free VT Advisor and Sierra Club Vermont Chapter, Don Ostler, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Rebecca Ryan, American Lung Association in Vermont, Laura Asermily, Middlebury Area Global Warming Action Coalition, Karen Glitman, VT Clean Cities Coalition, Bob Walker, SERG, Rep. David Sharpe, and Wayne's wife, Duffy Michaud. Also many thanks to the Sierra Club Vermont Chapter (mainly through the efforts of Denis Rydjeski) for providing a Match Grant for this project.

APRIL 27: A COALITION OF NO IDLING ADVOCATES MEETS IN WATERBURY
A newly formed coalition of Vermont no idling advocates, tentitively called the Idle-Free Vermont group, met at the Vermont Dept. of Environmental Conservation complex in Waterbury. Their goals are to build support for passage of H.97--the idling of 10,000 lbs. plus vehicles in the 2010 legislative session and to get funding for a Vermont regional no idliing campaign--possibly targeting Rutland, which has the highest rate of asthma in the state. This campaign could eventually be broadened to a statewide effort. Attendees were Karen Glitman, VT Clean Cities Coalition, VT Transportation Research Center, UVM, Tom Moye, Air Pollution Control Division, VT DEC, Wayne Michaud, Idle-Free VT, Rebecca Ryan, American Lung Association, Don Ostler, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Paul Markowitz, VT Sierra Club. The 1 1/2 hour meeting centered around funding sources, strategies and partnering. The Idle-Free Vermont group hopes to meet on a monthly basis with the next meeting scheduled for June 2. Those groups or individuals interested in joining this coalition are strongly encouraged to do so. Contact Paul Markowitz at 802-229-6307 paul@markowitzvt.com See the VERMONT NO IDLING COALITION PAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND UPDATES

APRIL 6: IDLE-FREE VT IS NOW IDLE-FREE VT INC.--A NONPROFIT CORPORATION
The Office of the Vermont Secretary of State has granted a Ceritficate of Incorporation to Idle-Free VT making it Idle-Free VT Inc., a nonprofit corporation. Idle-Free VT will now be able to be its own fiscal agent, enabling qualification for funding of grants. Dave Polow, Idle-Free VT advisor, and attorney of Polow Polow & Mahoney of Hyde Park, kindly filed the articles of incorporation. Idle-Free VT will soon file for 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation status.

MARCH 24: VERMONT NEWS GUY PUBLISHES "WORSHIPING IDLES"
John Margolis of the Vermont News Guy online blog interviewed Wayne Michaud for a story about the Idle-Free VT campaign and the state of idling in Vermont.

MARCH 10: H.97 WILL NOT MAKE "CROSSOVER"
Despite a positive reception in House Natural Resources and Energy, H.97 will not make crossover into the Senate this session. A biennium bill, it is expected to have a much more favorable chance next session. More details on the Idle-Free VT Legislature page.

MARCH 3 - 24: LETTER TO US EPA / RESPONSE FROM US EPA REGION 1
Wayne Michaud, director of Idle-Free VT wrote a letter on the subject of unnecessary vehicle idling to the US EPA on March 3, addressed to Lisa Jackson, Administrator. It was suggested that the EPA needed to extend current initiatives such as Clean School Bus USA and heavy-duty SmartWay to a comprehensive all motor vehicle idling national educational campaign. I pointed to the effective model that is the Natural Resources Canada Idle-Free Zone federal campaign. The response to my letter on March 24 came from EPA's Region 1--the New England states region. It mainly discussed the initiatives both the federal agency and Region 1 have implemented in the last seven years. Both letters can be seen here. Pages 1 and 2 are Wayne Michaud's letter; pages 3 and 4 are the EPA's letter of response. The EPA cc'ed Tom Moye, Section Chief of the Vermont Dept. of Environmental Conservation Air Pollution Control Division.

2009 TOWN MEETING NO-IDLE RESOLUTIONS
Due to a limited time commitment and lack of follow through by Idle-Free VT, and the more pressing priorities of town Energy Coordinators, no towns adopted no-idle resolutions at the 2009 Town Meetings. Details on the Local Efforts page.

FEBRUARY 10: H.97 TESTIMONY BY AMERICAN LUNG ASSOC. IN VERMONT
Rebecca L. Ryan, Director, Health Promotion & Public Policy, American Lung Association in Vermont, testified on behalf of H.97 before House Natural Resources and Energy. Ms. Ryan indicates that the committee received her testimony well. The enforcement issue was raised again but she talked about "our efforts to educate and hope to expand." Representatives from IBM, Koda and VT transportation each stated that each needs exemptions - for refrigeration, for auxilary power needs and for cold air--all of which are in the current bill. Further action on the bill may not be taken up until after the Town Meeting break.

FEBRUARY 3: H.97 TESTIMONY BEGINS
Wayne Michaud, Director of Idle-Free VT was invited to testify on behalf of H.97 before House Natural Resources and Energy. Wayne presented his testimony with questions and comments following. The discussion was generally supportive of H.97. There were questions of the ability to enforce an idling law (Wayne agreed enforcement would be difficult and sparse but pointed out a couple of cases where a 10,000 pound law has been). This lead to a discussion on how the law could be more effective with an educational component written into the bill such as how "Click It or Ticket" works. The committee was generally enthusiastic about this idea. Further tesimony is being scheduled on H.97.

JANUARY 28: H.97--AN ACT RELATING TO IDLING OF MOTOR VEHICLES INTRODUCED
H.97 is sponsored by Rep. David Sharpe, Bristol with nine cosponsors. It is a bill that would restrict idling of vehicles in excess of 10,000 pounds--heavy-duty commercial; mostly diesel. Details can be seen on the Idle-Free VT Legislature page. On January 29, H.97 was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources and Energy.

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2008