HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso - CC - 041-2019RESOLUTION NO. 41-2019
RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING THE RESIDENTIAL AND BUSINESS COMMUNITIES TO
TAKE THE IDLE FREE PLEDGE
WHEREAS, on -road transportation is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions in Burlingame; and
WHEREAS, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) has identified
ozone from on -road transportation as a significant contributor to poor air quality in the
summertime, with negative impacts on health including aggravated asthma, coughing or difficulty
breathing, decreased lung function, cardiovascular problems, and chronic bronchitis; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that idling in personal vehicles
wastes about three billion gallons of fuel and generates about 15 million tons of carbon dioxide
annually; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Energy also states that eliminating the unnecessary idling
of personal vehicles would be the same as taking five million vehicles off the roads; and
WHEREAS, idling means leaving a vehicle's engine running when it is parked or not in
use; and
WHEREAS, idling happens while drivers are waiting to pick someone up for ride -sharing,
school, sports practice, or the library; sitting at a drive -through or car wash; and checking email
and voicemail after turning on the engine; and
WHEREAS, according to the Hinkle Charitable Foundation, the best way to warm up a car
is to drive it; and
WHEREAS, experts say there is a maximum 10 second break-even rule; it is betterto turn
the engine off and restart it if idling longer than 10 seconds; and
WHEREAS, according to the US Department of Energy, Argonne National Laboratory,
idling for more than 10 seconds uses more fuel and emits more CO2 than engine restarting; and
WHEREAS, City staff are working to build awareness among the residential and business
communities of the importance of being idle free.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Burlingame that the
community takes the Idle Free Pledge to turn off the car's engine if the driver will be waiting for
more than 10 seconds (except in traffic).
Donna Colson, Mayor
I, Meaghan Hassel -Shearer, City Clerk of the City of Burlingame, do hereby certify that the
foregoing Resolution was introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council held on the 15th day of
April, 2019, and was adopted thereafter by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers: BEACH, BROWNRIGG, COLSON, KEIGHRAN, ORTIZ
NOES: Councilmembers: NONE
ABSENT: Councilmembers: NONE
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Meagher . Hassel -Shearer, 4, Clerk