VEHICLE IDLING CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED ON CLEAN AIR DAY

Released on June 4, 2003

Saskatchewan Environment and Climate Change Saskatchewan today launched a campaign encouraging drivers to reduce the unnecessary idling of vehicles. The campaign is designed to reduce pollution and the emission of greenhouse gases that are linked to climate change.

"This campaign is all about people helping themselves by cutting back on the time that vehicles idle unnecessarily," Environment Minister Buckley Belanger said. "Reducing idling also saves the driver money by reducing the amount of gasoline used."

"Idling a vehicle for longer than ten seconds uses more fuel than it takes to restart the vehicle," Legislative Secretary for Energy Conservation Peter Prebble said. "This campaign will raise awareness of how the simple act of shutting off your vehicle will reduce energy consumption and pollutants that contribute to climate change, smog and acid rain."

Saskatchewan Property Management Corporation will provide stickers for vehicles belonging to various government departments urging drivers to turn their engines off. Additional material will be prepared and distributed to inform drivers of the benefits of reducing unnecessary idling of vehicles.

"In Saskatchewan transportation represents 43 per cent of our greenhouse gas emissions," Climate Change Saskatchewan director Dan Beveridge said. "Any reduction in vehicle idling therefore has a significant impact on reducing emissions."

Saskatchewan Environment and Climate Change Saskatchewan announced the new promotion at the W. S. Hawrylak School in Regina in recognition of Clean Air Day, part of a Canada-wide week-long celebration of Environment Week.

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For More Information, Contact:

Alethea Foster Environment Regina Phone: (306)787-1611

Carmelle Sikma Climate Change Saskatchewan Regina Phone: (306)337-2289