Idle-Free VT Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit organization that raises awareness of unnecessary vehicle idling (idling when parked) in Vermont.

News & Updates

Latest news about Idle-Free VT and vehicle idling in Vermont

• Vermont Idle-Free Schools 2015-16 project report

• Burlington Police Department tests idle management system

• Fleet idling reduction certification program

• Idle-Free VT director Wayne Michaud moves to California

• The future of “idle-free” in Vermont

Vermont Idle-Free Schools 2015-16 project report

Vermont Idle-Free Schools, a High Meadows Fund & Vermont Community Foundationsupported Idle-Free VT Inc. project for the 2015-16 school year, completed its work in July. The main components of this project were Idle-Free Schools campaigns, and Idle-Free from the Start presentations. PROJECT REPORT.

Idle-Free Schools

Stowe Middle School campaign

These long term, student-led school idling study and measuring campaigns included initial observation and data collection of idling vehicles at school pick up areas in the fall, schools announcing support for the campaigns in winter, driver contact events in March, and final data collection in the spring (to determine a difference).

Five schools completed their campaigns: Hunt Middle School, Lyndon Town School, Main Street Middle School, Shelburne Community School, and Stowe Middle School. They combined to reduce idling in their school communities by 46%! Details here.

Campaign standouts: Shelburne Community School campaign featured in the Shelburne News, and Lyndon Town School campaign radio interview.

Idle-Free from the Start

With the help of two paid interns from Green Mountain College andthe University of Vermont, 49 Idle-Free from the Start presentations were given before just under 1,000 students mostly in driver education classes (also science, math and STEM). Included was a PowerPoint and videos on the negative impacts of idling (health, energy, carbon, economic), when idling can be necessary, plus an overview of green/eco-driving practices. Also included were handouts, a “quick quiz” for students, and a no idling sign for participating schools.

Burlington Police Department tests idle management system

Thanks to the Burlington, VT CEDO (Community and EconomicDevelopment Office), in a Burlington vehicle idling awareness initiative that has involved working with UVM interns, and in consultation with Vermont Clean Cities Coalition and Idle-Free VT, the Burlington Police Department agreed in May to conduct an idling reduction pilot program using the Havis IdleRight2 Fuel Management System in one of the fleet’s Ford Crown Victorias. This technology runs the lights and electronic equipment of a police cruiser, cutting engine idling by up to 80% while parked. Using the IdleRight2 will save on fuel, engine maintenance costs, and improve air quality and public health. Should this pilot be successful, the Burlington Police Department will consider using the technology in additional vehicles.

Fleet idling reduction certification program

The American Lung Association continues to provide Vermont Idle-FreeFleets* free online certification for Vermont diesel truck drivers and fleet managers about the benefits of idling reduction. Drivers from Vermont Student Transportation of America, Sugarbush Resort, Green Mountain Electric Supply, the state’s Departments of Buildings, Grounds and General Services and Motor Vehicles, and a commercial drivers’ license (CDL) school, have completed the certification and others continue to enroll. Champlain College, as part of its Sustainable Transportation Department, is committed to sending a majority of its 150 drivers through the program.

This program can have a powerful impact resulting in cost savings, increased employee buy in, and healthier employees!

For brief video clip of the training program and to learn more about the Vermont Idle-Free Fleets online training, visit here.

* program not affiliated with Idle-Free VT Inc.

Idle-Free VT director Wayne Michaud moves to California

Idle-Free VT began more or less on a whim following Wayne Michaud’s observation of vehicles idling at a Chittenden Solid Waste District (CSWD) drop off center in 2006, which prompted him to write a letter to a local newspaper and to report his observation to CSWD. To his surprise, CSWD adopted a no-idling policy for their vehicles and posted no-idling signs at their drop off centers. Combined with this was the motivation and inspiration of members of the Addison County Relocalization Network (ACORN), Natural Resources Canada’s Idle-Free Zone online resource, and of several individuals around Vermont. 10 years on, Wayne never imagined he would be an advocate of this type, let alone an educator, and head of an organization funded to implement its work.

In August, Wayne and his wife reluctantly departed Vermont to move to Santa Rosa, California, primarily to be closer to their son who has lived in the state for many years. Wayne relishes the opportunity to continue his idle-free work in California; there is a greatneed of this advocacy and education here!

Statement from Wayne: I want to thank so many of you for being instrumental in helping make a positive difference in the health and environment of our great state – from encouraging me in the beginnings, then advising on ways to be most effective, and then the funding of Idle-Free VT projects. First, Idle-Free VT board of directors members David Polow, Paul Markowitz, Nadine Barnicle, and my wife Ellen. Then organizations such as the Vermont Dept. of Health, High Meadows Fund and Vermont Community Foundation, who have been involved in the funding of Idle-Free VT’s work. And Rebecca Ryan of the American Lung Association of the Northeast for hiring me as coordinator of the ALA fleet idle reduction program, the Vermont Chapter of the Sierra Club for supporting Idle-Free VT in its earlier years, Tom Moye of the DEC for his patient expertise, Laura Asermily, Middlebury selectboard member and abiding advocate of the idle-free aim, Idle-Free Schools campaign leaders, especially Peg Rosenau, Lisa Phelps, Amy Kimball, Travis Courser, Ann Ndione, Lindsey Halman, Bill Goldsworthy, Roy Hathorn and Josephine Weldon, Vermont driver educators who embraced our guest-lecturing, especially Barbara “Basha” Brody, Gabriella Netsch, George Rooney, Kevin Anderson, Hugh Pfingst, Tejal Dholakia, Pam Ricker, Kevin Masse, Tony Stevens, Joe McGovern, and Michael Pluta. And Vermont legislators such as Reps. Mollie Burke and David Sharpe, and Sen. Claire Ayer, who never gave up on sponsoring idling restriction legislation until the state finally enacted the prohibited idling of (all) motor vehicles law in 2013. And I could go on and on…

The future of “idle-free” in Vermont

As Wayne’s move approached, he spent a number of months connecting with board members and funders, as well as idle-free stakeholders in education, health, air quality and transportation in the interest of the continuation of an idle-free effort in Vermont. The good news is, board members along with other partners are committed to the mission of Idle-Free VT. Exactly how a new idle-free organization will be shaped, where it will live and who will lead it, is still evolving, but the assurance is there that the goals of a Vermont idle-free effort are in good hands. Once firmed up, this information will be provided in a future update.

For now, it can be reported that one component of Idle-Free VT’s efforts is continuing. TheVermont Energy Education Program (VEEP), an organization that educates in the school community on energy literacy (efficient uses of energy to promote a vital economy and healthy environment) is now expanding to energy efficiency education in the transportation sector and, thanks to funding by High Meadows Fund, will continue the idle-free schools campaigns in the 2016-17 school year.

Additionally, all the components of the Idle-Free from the Start presentation have been made available to the Vermont driver educators membership: Vermont Driver Training and Safety Education Assoc. This presentation is also available to anyone in the school community. Details here.

 State of Vermont BE IDLE FREE webpage