Climate Protection

The City of Fitchburg embarked on an Idling Reduction Campaign in 2012 to encourage all residents to reduce their voluntary idling, idling when a vehicle is not actually being driven such as waiting in drive-thru lanes, waiting to pick up or drop off passengers/packages and warming up the engine.  In addition to wasting fuel, voluntary idling is a significant and easily-reduced source of pollution. Vehicle idling impacts air quality, climate change, health and your pocket book! 

When an engine idles, it is not running at optimum operating temperature, resulting in incomplete combustion which in turn results in more air pollution. Americans waste approximately 3.8 million gallons of gasoline each day by voluntarily idling their cars.  For every gallon of gasoline used, a vehicle emits, on average, 20 lbs. of CO2. That translates to 13 million tons of CO2 annually from voluntary idling!(a)  (Diesel engines emit 15% more CO2/gallon than gasoline engines.) Other pollutants from vehicle exhaust include carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons, which combine with nitrogen oxides and sunlight to form ground-level ozone, a major component of smog. These pollutants linger in the environment and lead to long-term health impairment, as well as environmental damage. (Idling Reduction in Fitchburg)

 

Idling sign

Studies have shown that idling for over 10 seconds uses more gasoline and produces more CO2 emissions than restarting your engine.  In addition, idling causes excessive engine wear.  If it looks like you’ll be idling for longer than 10 seconds (30 seconds for diesel), please turn off your engine and restart it when you're ready to drive.  For more information, please see Idling Reduction PowerPoint Presentation and Idling Reduction Strategies for the City of Fitchburg.

Signs on municipal property remind visitors to turn off their vehicle if they are going to be waiting more than 10 seconds. In addition, members of the Resource Conservation Commission have been contacting Fitchburg businesses to request their participation. Participating businesses are given Idling Reduction Posters made by Leopold Elementary students to display as well as an informational brochure to hand out. Outdoor metal signs are also available and perfect for any parking lot, drop off, or drive through location. {put picture of sign here.)

Please thank the following businesses for their participation:

  • Summit Credit Union
  • Oak Bank
  • U.S. Bank
  • BMO Harris, Jamestown Branch
  • The UPS Store
  • Ganshert Nursery and Landscapes, LLC
  • Top Hat Fireplace and Chimney
  • Independent Living, Inc.
  • Leopold Elementary School

If your business would like to participate, please contact Rick Eilertson at 608-270-4264.

Reducing voluntary idling is an easy way to save money and increase miles per gallon.  Remember, idling gets 0 miles per gallon!  So please, join in the campaign; if you'll be idling for more than 10 seconds, turn off your engine and restart it when you're ready to move.

For more information about vehicle idling and a Vehicle Idling Quiz:

http://www.hcdoes.org/airquality/Anti-Idling/IdleQuiz.htm

http://www.thehcf.org/antiidlingprimer.html

(a) “Anti-Idling Primer; Every Second Counts” by Hal Hinkle, Patricia Deacon & “Kasia Duda Hinkle Charitable Foundation

 

 

On July 14, 2009, Fitchburg become a partner with the State of Wisconsin in pursuit of the 25 x 25 goals for energy independence. In 2010, the City joined several Wisconsin municipalities in signing the Green Tier Legacy Communities Charter. Under the Green Tier Legacy Communities Charter, municipalities agree to adopt policies, practices and development patterns that minimize energy consumption, reduce all forms of pollution and waste to create a better place to live. On Sept. 27, 2011, the Fitchburg Common Council adopted Resolution R-60-11 - A Resolution in Support of Idling Reduction Strategies for the City of Fitchburg. 

 

Two city organizations are responsible for climate protection initiatives: the Resource Conservation Commission (RCC) and the City of Fitchburg Staff Green Team:

Mayors signs agreement