The city has come up with a new green energy policy for its fleet.
Fleet manager Kevin Loughery says the policy will focus on idling and aims to reduce the city’s green house gas emissions and fuel consumption.
Vehicles should be shut off if idling will exceed three minutes, and should never be left idling while unattended. Engine warm ups should also take no more than three minutes.
There will be exceptions, such extreme weather conditions and temperatures ranging from minus ten to plus 27, equipment maintenance, while on the scene of an emergency or training exercise, or not expected to be able to restart due to mechanical problem.
Loughery says the new policy covers cars to much larger equipment.
“This policy applies to our entire fleet of vehicles, but it also applies to all of our motorized equipment in use by the city for use by city employees in the performance of their duties. Important to note this takes everything in account from the small engine right up to our tandems and things like that,” he said during council Monday night.
Currently, the city has 1,056 pieces of equipment in its fleet.
Employees are also encouraged to take more direct routes to their destination.
The policy will also be reviewed every three years and as determined by City Manager. Periodic audits of the fleet will also be performed to ensure adherence to policy.
Loughery says awareness material on no-idling will be made more present in city vehicles, and around municipal buildings. There will also be new technology installed in vehicles to track adherence to the policy.
The policy passed with a unanimous vote, but not after some concerns were aired.
Councillor Ray Strowbridge is concerned about temperature limitations in the policy, especially on very hot days.
“I don’t know about you but sitting in a car at even 20 degrees in July with no air conditioning on for any longer than a few minutes, you’re gonna be having a heat stroke,” he said.
Loughery says because the policy is new, audits and reviews in the future will determine if this is a big issue.
Mayor Don Darling is encouraging everyone to adopt this habit.
“I would like us to challenge the private sector, the business community, and residents to adopt a no-idling policy,” he said.
“What can you do as a resident and what can you do as a business in the city of Saint John to be part of our climate change adaptation and mitigation plans?”
