Idle-Free VT Online Petition Form

Idle-Free VT • Wayne Michaud, Director • 637 Jim Dwire Rd., Bristol, VT 05443
www.idlefreevt.org • info@idlefreevt.org
Idle-Free VT is a supported project of ACoRN–Addison County Relocalization Network. www.acornvt.org

IDLE-FREE VT PETITION DRIVE TO SUPPORT PASSAGE OF H.97--AN ACT RELATING TO THE IDLING OF MOTOR VEHICLES (more than 10,000 pounds.; medium- and heavy-duty commercial, mostly diesel)

While the news is disappointing that H.97 will not advance further in this session, it is a biennium bill, and its passage in the 2010 session is likely. There will now be ample time to amend the bill to include an educational component, work to address the challenges of enforcement, for coalition building and finding common ground with opponents. Also, its passage and enactment is overdue as every other Northeast state (ME, NH, MA, RI, CT, NY, NJ, PA, DE, MD) but Vermont has already enacted this type of law.

A big "THANK YOU" to those already signing the petition. Those signatures are not for naught as they are being held until the 2010 session. For those registered Vermont voters who have yet to sign the petition, please do your part to help put H.97 over the top! And ask family and friends to sign, too!

The SOLE use of the information that is gathered from this petition--by Idle-Free VT only--is to submit it to the Vermont legislature in the 2010 legislative session, in support of idle-reduction legislation.

PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION

I, the undersigned, am a registered Vermont voter. I support the enactment of legislation for the State of Vermont of a 10,000 pound plus (heavy-duty commercial, mostly diesel) motor vehicle idle-reduction law. I understand that unnecessary vehicle idling (idling when not in traffic) needlessly wastes fuel, causes needless engine wear, contributes to global climate change, and causes respiratory illness--particularly in children. I also understand that as of 2009, every other Northeast state (ME, NH, MA, RI, CT, NY, NJ, PA, DE, MD) but Vermont has already enacted a 10,000 pound plus motor vehicle idle-reduction law.

Please fill out the following fields (all required; Address Line 2 only if applicable).

First Name	Last Name
Address Line 1	Address Line 2
City	State
Zip	Town

Why does the petition form ask for both "City" and "Town"? Some Vermonter's addresses and towns differ. For instance, some Starksboro town residents have a Bristol postal address.

QUESTION AND ANSWER ABOUT IDLE-REDUCTION LAW ENFORCEMENT

Q. How is an idle-reduction law enforced?
A. In reality, enforcing an idle-reduction law would be limited. First, there has to be a willingness by law enforcement. Typically, some police consider idle-reduction laws nuisance laws. They think there’s more important laws to enforce. With this attitude, they may hesitate to confront a violator. Governing bodies and citizens alike must make law enforcement officers aware of the serious problems of unnecessary idling. Having said that, idle reduction laws can be enforced and are being enforced. If a school bus idles excessively with children in the area, a parent or school official can notify police, emphasizing that there is a law. The same would apply for an extended truck idling law. The most useful aspect of idling laws is that they provide "teeth" for educational efforts. An example of this is the "Click It or Ticket" safety belt awareness campaign. A law backing up the educational effort makes it more effective.