BURLINGTON SUSTAINABILITY PARTNERSHIP READY TO GO FOR A 9th ROUND

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 7, 2015
Contact: Jennifer Green
City of Burlington
802.865.7532
jgreen@burlingtonvt.gov

Alayna Howard
Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
802.540.7656
ahoward@veic.org

BSP Supports Annual Way to Go!

Burlington, VT – The Burlington Sustainability Partnership (BSP), a unique, collaborative endeavor between the City of Burlington, the Burlington Business Association, Champlain College, the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission, the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce, the University of Vermont, and the University of Vermont Medical Center strongly supports the ninth annual Way to Go! Challenge Way to Goby pledging to encourage their respective institutions and others to carpool, car share, telecommute, bike, walk, or take the bus to work, school, and for other trips between May 4–15, 2015.
“I’m pleased that the BSP member institutions are supporting this year’s Challenge,” said Mayor Miro Weinberger. “It’s our collective impact that makes Burlington a great small city and will help make the Challenge a success.  I also want to acknowledge the Chittenden Area Transportation Management Association that provides the institutions and businesses with sustainable commute programs that encourage and support travel behavior change”.

BSP representatives understand that reducing the negative impact of single occupancy vehicle use requires a collective commitment to using alternative means of commuting. Therefore, BSP member institutions encourage colleagues and the wider Vermont community to reduce solo driving by signing up and taking the Challenge.  “For the Way to Go! Challenge to have a big local impact, we know it’s important for all of the BSP to be fully engaged,” said Joe Speidel, Director, UVM Local Government and Community Relations and
a UVM BSP representative. “There’s plenty of time to sign up and be a part of the Challenge. Participants will save money and come away with a real sense of pride.”Penrose Jackson, Director of Community Health Improvement at the UVM Medical Center and BSP member added, “Taking the Challenge reduces air pollution and can positively impact public health, ultimately improving the overall well-being of our community.”

This spring’s Challenge aims to top the strong results achieved by last year’s participants, who saved a combined $40,100 at the gas pump, drove 299,666 fewer miles, and kept 208,599 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the air. Way to Go! is designed to raise year-round awareness of transportation options by encouraging participants to travel in ways other than driving alone.Individuals and teams are welcome to sign on at waytogovt.org. Businesses, schools, communities, and individual teams with the greatest amount of CO2 emissions saved will be recognized at an award ceremony at the State House in Montpelier on June 11.

Way to Go! is supported by a wide network of 29 partner and sponsor organizations from around Vermont, including lead partner Vermont Energy Investment Corporation. As part of Way to Go!, the BSP invites community members and others to join the fourth annual Mayor’s Multi-Modal Tour on Friday, May 8 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm; the tour will begin at 9:00 am in front of City Hall. Part of this year’s tour will focus on the work of several BSP institutions, including UVM and the UVM Medical Center.

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