Utah Celebrates 11 Years of Governor’s Idle Free Declaration- September 17, 2018
WHAT: Utah Celebrates 11 Years of Governor’s Idle Free Declaration
WHEN: Wednesday, September 18. 10:30 am
WHERE: Salt Lake City & County Building West steps
Monday, September 17, 2018
September marks the 11th year of the Idle Free Governor’s Declaration in Utah. Last year was the 10-year anniversary of the Idle Free season, with over 50 Mayors joining, and this year there is even more to celebrate. This year the support from Utah cities has grown to a historic high with seventy-one Mayors signing, along with Governor Gary Herbert, in support of Idle Free Awareness Month and Idle Free Utah 2018-2019. This is highly significant. Those seventy-one mayors represent the majority of Utah’s population, roughly 76%, and further, all seventeen mayors representing cities in Salt Lake County, along with Mayor Ben McAdams, have signed the Governor’s 2018-2019 Idle Free Declaration.
Last year we celebrated our 10 Yearn Anniversary along with 6 Utah cities having adopted Idle Free ordinances: Park City, Salt Lake City, Alta, Holladay, Logan and Murray. This year, joining them in adopting idle free ordinances was Sandy City and Cottonwood Heights. Utah had the first Idle Free campaign in the nation. Now 8 cities within the state are taking Idle Free seriously in their cities and for their citizenry.
“Turning the car off and being idle-free is the first and most basic action a person can take to reduce pollution,” said Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski. “That’s why Salt Lake City is proud to be among the first communities to sign the Idle-Free Declaration and then to pass an ordinance. Fast forward 11 years, and I’m thrilled to be joined by so many other cities standing up for clean air. Together, we are reaffirming that healthy communities and ‘being idle-free’ are core values we uphold and support.”
Idling vehicles emit particulate matter and other pollutants that are known to cause serious health problems. Vehicle exhaust makes up about half of the air pollution in Utah, and unnecessary idling contributes a significant amount of emissions into our air shed each day. Idling gets zero miles per gallon.
Air quality is a complex issue. There is no “silver bullet” solution to solving our air pollution challenges. You may ask yourself as an individual, as a member of your community and a citizen of the state of Utah what can you do? It is simple. Turn Your Key, Be Idle Free. It’s a ten second commitment and everyone can do it. We are all in this together.
“I am so please with the continued movement of the Idle Free campaign in Utah. Stated Utah Clean Cities Director, Tammie Bostick-Cooper, “Idle Free truly has become Utah’s very own “one person can make a difference” cause; it empowers each individual in a vehicle to turn the key; whether it is a work truck at a job site, a bus or a car parked at a school. This is one solution to air quality that everyone supports. Bostick-Cooper then added the significance of this declaration, “This year we have a new record number of cities, 71 Utah Mayors [who represent more than ¾ of the population] who have signed the declaration, along with Idle Free school districts, we know this “one plus one” movement is heading to 100% support.”
The Governor’s Declaration will be read on Tuesday, September 18th, at 10:30 am at the City and County building, downtown Salt Lake City.
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Utah Clean Cities – Clean Fuels, Clean Strategies, and Clean Air
Utah Clean Cities (UCC) has been working for clean air strategies for over 25 years in Utah. They have worked closely with the Governor’s Office of Energy Development, Salt Lake City, Department of Environmental Quality, Utah cities and towns, businesses and private enterprises, along with the national network of the Department of Energy Development Clean Cities programs. UCC offers the most up-to-date technical assistance and grant support opportunities for fleets.
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MEDIA ADVISORY
WHAT: Utah Clean Cities, Governor’s Office of Energy Development, and Salt Lake City Sustainability will celebrate the 11th Annual Governor’s Declaration Idle Free Month of September and the kickoff of the 2018-2019 Idle Free Season. Currently signed by 71 mayors, Utah had the first Idle Free campaign in the nation, which continues to play a vital role in the state’s progress towards air quality. The event will highlight the addition of over 20 mayors since last year’s 10th anniversary.
WHEN: Tuesday, September 18th, 2018. 10:30-11:30am
WHERE: Salt Lake City and County Building. 451 S. State St. Salt Lake City
INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:
Dr. Laura Nelson, Governor’s energy advisor
Jackie Biskupski, Salt Lake City mayor
Rep. Patrice Arent, Utah House of Representatives, Mill Creek
Rep. Lowry Snow, Utah House of Representatives, St. George
Tammie Bostick-Cooper, Executive Director of Utah Clean Cities
CONTACT: Tammie Bostick-Cooper. 801-580-1922. Tammie.cooper@utahcleancities.org
AGENDA:
