Don't Idle Video

Pictures Now Available

To see picture of the press conference this morning with Mayor Becker, Mayor Corroon, Representative Carol Spackman Moss, Murrell Martin from the State Office of Education, and Carrie Giles from Utah Clean Cities, then visit our Facebook page or click here !

Mayors Becker and Corroon Sign Idle Free Utah Declaration

Northern Utah celebrated the official Declaration of Idle Free Awareness Month this morning. Representative Carol Spackman Moss, Murrell Martin of the State Office of Education, Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon, and Salt Lake City Mayor Becker joined citizens and the 6th grade class of Morningside Elementary School this morning for the Idle Free Declaration. Videos and pictures coming soon!

Governor Herbert and southern Utah Mayors McArthur, Neilson, Hirschi and Hart Declare the month of September 2010 - Idle Free Awareness Month

Utah Governor Gary R. Herbert, Hurricane City Mayor Tom Hirschi, City of St. George Mayor Daniel McArthur,  Washington City Mayor Kenneth Neilson, and City of Ivins Mayor Chris Hart today announce a collective message for the public:

“Turn your key, be idle free.” 

The Governor and Mayors are hoping to educate residents about saving gas, improving air quality and protecting good health by turning off car engines if idling time is more than 10 seconds.Governor Herbert and the four Mayors will launch the Idle Free Awareness Month campaign on Friday, September 3, 2010 4:00 pm at the Community Arts Building in Hurricane, Utah.

Last year, Salt Lake City Mayor Becker, Salt Lake County Mayor Corroon, former Provo Mayor Lewis Billings and Ogden Mayor Matthew Godfrey launched the Idle Free campaign in Salt Lake County, Utah County and Weber County with 85 schools participating.  The effort was aimed at changing drivers’ habits in school loading zones.  This year, Mayor Hirsch, Mayor McArthur, Mayor Neilson and Mayor Hart are joining the efforts to include southern Utah to help encourage drivers to turn off their engines, particularly while picking up children from school.

“This is a helpful reminder for all drivers that being good stewards of the environment can be as simple as turning the key while waiting in those school loading zones,” Governor Herbert said.

“Drivers can save money and breathe easier when they cut their idling time,” said Mayor Hirschi, as a retired Washington County School District bus driver experienced when reducing his idling time in his school bus. “As a school bus driver, we took great pride in our district with a combined idle reduction of 17 minutes per day per school bus, added Mayor Hirschi.”

Said Mayor McArthur:  “The Idle Free Awareness Month Campaign provides helpful information to St. George area residents so they can make simple changes that can positively impact our air quality in southern Utah.” 

“Parents oftentimes leave their vehicles idling while waiting for children outside schools, in some cases blowing smoke right in our children’s faces,” Mayor Neilson said. “Our goal is to get drivers in the habit of turning off their engines whenever they are idling for an extended amount of time.” 

“All too often we look for big solutions to big problems and overlook the small things that can collectively make the biggest difference,” Mayor Hart said. “Reducing our idling time is one of those simple little things we can all do to improve our air quality.”

Brad Jolley, Principal of Three Falls Elementary is one of the 100 schools along the Wasatch Front and Washington County that are joining the Idle Free Awareness Month.  Governor Herbert and the four Mayors will discuss the Idle Free Utah campaign and answer questions from the media.

*More information to follow about Northern Utah

Idle Free Awareness Month begins in 2 Days!

Idle Free Awareness Month begins on Thursday, September 1st! While September may be our official awareness month, citizens work year round to promote less idling. Utah House Joint Resolution 5, sponsored by Representative Carol Spackman Moss, passed this past February, encouraging a reduction of Idling in the State of Utah. Critical to the success of this bill, was the 6th grade class from Morningside Elementary school, under the instruction of Patti White. The class helped write, promote, and present the resolution to legislators. For more information, including the national award bestowed upon one student for his work, visit the following video.  Morningside Elementary Story

Welcome to Idle Free Utah!

 Idle Free Utah is a collaboration of State, municipal, and private organizations working to reduce vehicle idling time across the state. Each September legislators join together to declare September "Idle Free Awareness Month," and elementary schools work to educate parents and bus drivers about the impacts of idling. Join us, not just in September, but year round, to reduce idling. Save money, and help clear the air in Utah.