Natural Resources Canada
2003/82
October 16, 2003

ANTI-IDLING CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED AT TRUCK STOPS

OTTAWA — Canadian truck stops will be quieter and cleaner this fall, thanks to the second annual campaign to encourage drivers to turn off their engines while stopped. The Government of Canada launched The Quiet Zone — Your Idle-Free Area! campaign today in three locations across the country.

This ten-week program aims to reduce engine idling, resulting in less fuel consumption and decreased greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) contributed $138,000 to the campaign.

“Cutting the amount of time truck engines idle is a win-win proposition,” said Andy Savoy, Member of Parliament for Tobique-Mactaquac, on behalf of the Honourable Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Natural Resources Canada. “Drivers save money by limiting fuel waste and everyone benefits from reduced emissions of greenhouse gases, making this a valuable part of Canada’s climate change strategy.”

The Quiet Zone — Your Idle-Free Area! will run from October 16 to December 19, 2003, at participating truck stops. One goal of the campaign is to reduce the noise and air pollution that results from unnecessary idling at truck stops and in surrounding neighbourhoods. Drivers will be asked to turn off their engines when parked in “quiet zone” areas.

During the campaign, which is managed by NRCan’s Office of Energy Efficiency, organizers will promote devices designed to reduce unnecessary idling. These devices include separate cab heaters and/or air conditioners, which run independently of the vehicle engine, and engine timers that turn the engine off after cool-down. Another option is timing devices that turn engines off and on to maintain a pre-set coolant temperature or battery charge.

Truck-stop owners who wish to declare idle-free zones in their parking lots will receive resource materials and promotional tools. In addition, informational material will be available for drivers.

The Quiet Zone — Your Idle-Free Area! campaign was launched in Bairdsville, New Brunswick; Cardinal, Ontario; and Kamloops, British Columbia. Approximately 50 truck stops across Canada will take part in the campaign. The first campaign, which took place between November and December 2002, had 18 participants, including 15 truck stops and 3 dealerships that made their parking lots idle-free zones.

This initiative advances the Government of Canada’s commitment to the sustainable development of our natural resources — contributing to their economic importance and to a strong society and communities through knowledge, innovation, technology and international leadership. By integrating our economic, social and environmental goals, we can ensure our quality of life and build the Canada we want, for ourselves and for future generations.

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For more information on the Government of Canada’s action on climate change, please visit www.climatechange.gc.ca.