The Partner Link
The bi-annual newsletter of the Wisconsin Partners for Clean Air
- Voluntary Emissions Reduction Registry - Now Available!
- The Kids on the Bus Go "Cough, Cough, Cough"
Opportunities Abound to Clean-Up Dirty Diesel School Buses - Commuter Value Pass Offers Employers the Opportunity to "Do the Right Thing"
- 2002 Recognition Award Winners
- Loaner Bike Program Gets Students Rolling
- Partners' Bus Ads Aid the Air
- School Kids Remind Businesses There Are "2003 Ways to Go"
- Gas Cap Wrench Success Story
Voluntary Emissions Reduction Registry - Now Available!
Wisconsin's Voluntary Emissions Reduction Registry has arrived! It is now available online at The Wisconsin Voluntary Emission Reduction Registry and there will soon be a link to it on the Wisconsin Partners for Clean Air (WPCA) web site.
The Registry is a tool that allows businesses and individuals to quantify and record their voluntary emission reductions-- reductions that go beyond the legal requirements. Some reasons businesses or individuals may want to register their reductions are for possible baseline protection in case of future regulations, for public recognition, or for a central listing to view their reduction records and those of others.
Businesses/organizations interested in registering their reductions should review the eligibility guidelines and then complete the registrant and project information forms. Some eligibility requirements include: the reductions were voluntary or go beyond requirements, reductions occurred within Wisconsin, reductions were made with the eligible air pollutants, the reduction threshold limits were met, and reductions occurred after specific guideline dates. There will be a registry handbook to help guide people through the registration process. However, most of the information is available on the web site, including tools to help calculate the reductions.
Partners should take advantage of the Registry for the many reasons listed above. It's a great way to showcase your efforts and to see what others are up to. It will help your business/organization track its environmental record and also serve as a place to share project ideas.
Please visit the DNR or WPCA web site for more information and to start registering your reductions.
The Kids on the Bus Go "Cough, Cough, Cough"
Opportunities Abound to Clean-Up Dirty Diesel School Buses
The concern over school bus emissions and exposure to children has grown immensely in recent months. Children are more susceptible to the effects of pollution since their respiratory systems are not fully developed and they inhale more air per pound of body weight than adults do. Children who ride school buses are even more susceptible to developing health problems from pollution than other kids as they are forced to breathe diesel exhaust while on and waiting for the bus. Over 24 million children ride school buses, exposing them to the high amounts of particulate matter, toxics, and nitrogen oxides emitted by diesel engines.
In light of the health risks that diesel buses pose, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is pursuing grants to retrofit school buses. DNR applied for about $1 million in Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality funds to retrofit approximately 375 school buses in southeast Wisconsin. This voluntary retrofit project may achieve enough emission reductions to allow the DNR to close-out the mandatory Clean Fuel Fleet Program. CMAQ funding requires a 20% match, and if the grant is awarded, DNR plans to achieve the match through sponsorship from local businesses, Wisconsin Partners for Clean Air members, individuals, as well as through in-kind contributions. Sponsorship is expected to be approximately $500 per bus and is certainly a fabulous opportunity for Partners to demonstrate their commitment to clean air and their community. Furthermore, bus retrofit sponsorship will be greatly appreciated and recognized.
The DNR is also assisting school districts around the state in applying for EPA's $5million Clean School Bus USA funding. This funding is available nationally to school districts to retrofit buses newer than 1990 and replace older buses. Over 25 school districts around the state have shown interest, but it is unknown how many will actually apply. School districts apply directly to the EPA.
Any type of retrofit, whether it be use of ultra-low sulfur diesel, use of particulate traps, catalysts or anti-idling devices can achieve significant emission reductions. Schools, school districts, and bus companies are invited to step up to the plate and participate fully in these opportunities to protect the health of children.
For more information go to Clean School Bus USA, or contact Jessica Lawent at 414-263-8653.
Commuter Value Pass Offers Employers the Opportunity to "Do the Right Thing"
Wisconsin Partners for Clean Air (WPCA) is working in partnership with the Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) to offer a deeply discounted transit package called Commuter Value Pass (CVP). The transit program provides employees unlimited transit services for employees who meet a minimum requirement of 25 participants. In some cases, it is difficult for a single company to meet this minimum participation requirement. The WPCA Transportation Team has stepped up to be the centralized CVP distributor for members who want to offer the program to their employees. This allows WPCA to collectively meet the 25-person participation level. Some requests to participate in the program have been received, but more participants are needed to make this important effort a success.
This tax-smart program not only provides a business deduction and reduces payroll taxes to the employer, but the employee portion can be paid pre-tax through a payroll deduction. The price for a 90-day renewable transit pass is $39.00 per month, with a minimum employer portion of $22.00 per month for each participating employee.
The Partners and MCTS are positioned to provide a commuting solution that offers an economic advantage, reduces congestion, solves parking challenges, and benefits the air we all breathe. Additionally, the CVP program is a wise investment that can attract and retain a quality workforce by providing employees reliable transportation to work.
If you are interested in the program or would like more information, call Peter McMullen (WI DNR) at 414-263-8751 or Jim Rentscher (MCTS) at 414-937-3251.
2002 Recognition Award Winners
Each year WPCA recognizes businesses or organizations that have taken voluntary actions to improve air quality. This program is a great opportunity for businesses and organizations to receive public recognition, benefit through a positive image in the community, and attract customer's attention. Awards were presented at the annual Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful Environmental Business, Industry and Government Seminar on May 20, 2003.
Congratulations to this year's winners, which include:
Industrial Towel & Uniform for
- installing solvent recovery equipment to reduce pollution while minimizing the need for additional solvent materials
- reducing impacts on Ozone Action Days by tightening facility processes, postponing vehicle fueling and educating employees
- inviting other businesses and customers to tour their facilities to demonstrate the benefits of their waste minimization practices
- exceeding requirements of the Clean Fuel Fleet Program in their vehicle purchases
SC Johnson for
- exceeding greenhouse gas reduction goals and participating of EPA's Climate Leaders Initiative
- planning to use methane gas from a local landfill for generation of electricity and heat at one of their plants (reducing the plant's electricity and natural gas consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 50%)
- designing and sharing the Greenlist tool that measures and assists in the reduction of environmental and biological impacts of raw materials
- testing EPA's PBT Profiler software to assess materials' environmental impacts and assist in more sustainable purchasing decisions
- partnering with Goodwill Industries to recycle over 90% of the solid waste from one of their facilities
Urban Ecology Center for
- providing environmental education programs, seminars, workshops, trips, and festivals to urban students and the community
- preserving and enhancing the surrounding natural resources along the river and park in which they reside
- hosting an annual ozone monitoring class for the public, implementing an ozone curriculum for students and having a permanent ozone display
- encouraging staff and the public to use alternative transit and supporting local bike initiatives
- operating bi-fuel CNG vans and an electric truck
Receiving Honorable Mentions were:
American Lung Association of Wisconsin for
- participating in Ozone Action Days by doing media coverage
- educating their employees and supporting flexible schedules
- helping to promote the use of ozone mapping to TV stations
- doing year-round air quality and health awareness media campaigns
- releasing a report to alert people of the air quality issues in Wisconsin
- participating in the School + Business = Clean Air Program
- purchasing a hybrid electric vehicle
- participating in a group that encourages the use of alternative energy in southeast Wisconsin
CNH Global RMO for
- installing a highly efficient, low emission paint system
- notifying and educating employees on Ozone Action Days
- participating in the School + Business = Clean Air Program
For more information about the award, how to nominate your organization, or to view accomplishments of previous winners, visit Recognition Awards and Participating Organizations.
Loaner Bike Program Gets Students Rolling
This past Spring, Wisconsin Partners for Clean Air (WPCA) contributed funds for the repair and refurbishment of 50 bikes for the University of Milwaukee's (UWM) loaner bike program and is currently supporting the addition of another 25 bikes to the fleet for distribution in the Fall 2003 semester. The loaner bike program provides a free bike to students for the semester to encourage non-vehicular trips in a commuter-impacted area. The goal is to increase the use of bicycles to help reduce traffic and parking congestion while promoting a healthy, low emission transportation alternative.
WPCA got involved with the loaner bike program after receiving a request for assistance from the Bicycle Taskforce sub-committee of the Eastside Transportation Management Association (ETMA), which was formed to consider the livability and safety of the community by addressing concerns related to transportation issues on the Eastside of Milwaukee. The ETMA Bicycle Taskforce sub-committee, spearheaded by a neighborhood association representative, was formed to focus on encouraging bicycle use as a way of commuting and making other trips around the congested area.
The ETMA Bike Taskforce developed their pilot bike program in the Fall of 2002. Working through a local bike store (Cory the Bike Fixer), 25 bikes were donated, refurbished, and lent out to students. Bike accessories including reflectors, lights, and locks were donated by Planet Bike through the Wisconsin Bike Federation, for safety and security. The pilot project was so well received that the Taskforce turned to WPCA to expand the program.
According to post-program survey responses, 85% of participants claimed to have considered getting their own bikes based on their positive experiences with the program. 17.9% of students reported that they rode their bikes instead of traveling by car. Open ended comments about the program in response to the survey included: "Fun, great way to get around!" "Great idea for students who might not have a bike," and "Sweet! I hope the program expands in the future!"
The ETMA Bike Program has demonstrated how different groups working together can develop, maintain, and improve a project to achieve multiple goals. Oversight is provided by the UWM Cycling Club President (funded through UWM Parking & Transit), and includes bike distribution, return, and program development. In addition, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation contributed publicity assistance. Other contributing members include Eastside Business Improvement District, Franke Foundation, HNTB, UWM Building and Grounds, Urban Ecology Center, University Relations & Communications, UWM Bicycle Interest Group and community contributions.
The Bicycle Taskforce, through the City of Milwaukee and ETMA, has applied for a Congestion & Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grant to expand the program further to include university staff, improve bike facilities, find a permanent program home, and include a bike coordinator. We'll keep you posted on the progress to keep this good thing rolling!
For more information, or if you would like to make a contributuion to the ETMA Bike Program, contact Peter McMullen at (414) 263-8751.
Partners' Bus Ads Aid the Air
Seen any interesting bus advertising lately? If so, hopefully the Wisconsin Partners for Clean Air ads were some of them. The WPCA Steering Committee highly ranked the idea of a Bus Ad Campaign, among several submitted ideas, as a way to spend down some remaining funds from a previous Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) grant. The grant's scope was designed for public information and marketing.
The campaign was developed for broad exposure with multiple messages to cover the bulk of the ozone season and consists of two rounds of advertising. The first round ran during the beginning of ozone season and consisted of a simple message promoting the Partners and their website, providing the Air Quality Hotline number, and announcing the month of May as Clean Air Month. Bus signs appeared on the sides of buses operated by the Milwaukee County Transit System, as well as on buses in Kenosha, Ozaukee, Racine, and Waukesha counties. Interior signs that will be up for a year were also included in Waukesha buses to provide more specific tips on ways to improve air quality.
The second round of bus ads covers parts of July and August and also includes the Partners logo, website, and Air Quality Hotline. This ad also recognizes some important achievements. The three 2002 WPCA Award Winners logos were included in the ad and posted along with 2003 School + Business = Clean Air Poster Contest Winner, promoting alternative transportation. All of this was done under the banner ad theme of We All Win With Cleaner Air!
Check out the ads and consider having your company sponsor an ad next season.
For more information on bus ads promoting cleaner air, call Jessica Laub at (414) 263-8367.
School Kids Remind Businesses There Are "2003 Ways to Go"
This year, twenty-two businesses partnered with schools to participate in Wisconsin Partners for Clean Air's "School + Business = Clean Air" program. These businesses received bright-colored posters featuring messages about commuter options and "2003 Ways to Go" to display during the month of May to remind all their employees to do their part to reduce air pollution during ozone season.
Some of the more creative posters encouraged people to "ride a bear to get there" and reminded them that "walking is good for your thighs". The winning poster (at right) was created by Aaron H. at Our Lady of Good Hope School and featured a picture of a globe with magnifying glasses over various parts of the world to show alternative transportation options such as a double-decker bus in England and carpooling in the United States. Aaron's poster was made into an attractive magnet that was distributed to all participating businesses and schools. It is also featured on Wisconsin Partner for Clean Air's bus ads that have been rolling around the greater Milwaukee area this July and August. Lucky Aaron also received tickets to a Brewer's game in reward for his creativity. What a deal!
Representatives from participating businesses also had the opportunity to visit with students in their partner classrooms. Tari Emerson of Charter Steel had the chance to visit the 6th grade class at Webster Transitional School in Cedarburg. "It was a very positive experience and a lot of fun," said Emerson. " I talked about Charter's environmental management system, how Charter uses natural resources, about the air permitting process, waste water treatment and how we strive to reduce our impact."
Emerson used a Power Point presentation with lots of pictures to explain the things she was describing to about 100 attentive, well-behaved kids. "The kids were great," claimed Emerson, "they asked a lot of interesting questions about my background and career." Emerson also stated that the teachers were quite complementary and appreciative. Emerson's daughter, a sixth grade student at Webster, claimed that her teacher used Charter Steel to provide concrete examples of theories he was teaching in later lessons. Emerson said that she enjoyed sharing information about what Charter Steel is doing and found it rewarding to be able to give the kids real life scenarios of environmental management.
Emerson provided cookies and juice as a refreshment for the students and distributed little book bags (featuring a picture of a wetland restoration project Charter Steel is working on) stuffed with a pen, pencil, folder and a Charter Steel "slinky". "The slinkies were a big hit," admitted Emerson, "I should have brought more of them!"
Kristi Luzar of Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful enjoyed personally interacting with the students that made the posters they displayed. She said that visiting their partner school, St. Rita, "brought the whole program home to me… sharing what you do and why you do it makes the program much more well-rounded."
Twenty-two schools (and over 1,000 students) participated in this year's program. Overall, the "School + Business = Clean Air" program was well received by schools and businesses alike. We thank-you for your participation and feedback about this year's program, and we encourage you to join the fun in the year to come.
For more information, contact the "School + Business = Clean Air" Program Coordinator at (414) 263-8367.
Gas Cap Wrench Success Story
The Gas Cap Wrench project is an amazing success for the Wisconsin Partners for Clean Air (WPCA), who are working in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR)! The project, which is scheduled to run for two years, will wrap-up one year early due to the high volume of orders that have already been received.
"We are extremely pleased with the results!" said Eva Robelia, project manager. "We are the first group in the nation to promote this innovative clean air product, and we are very excited to see other areas of the nation looking into adopting the program."
A gas cap wrench is a product uniquely designed to assist in opening and closing gas caps with ease.
It is not uncommon for older drivers with limited strength or flexibility in their hands to have difficulty with loosening and tightening their gas cap. Based on information from the Arthritis Foundation, difficulty with gas cap use ranks as one of the top 10 complaints of individuals with arthritis. When a person is accustomed to refueling their car for years without any assistance, it comes as a shock when taking their gas cap off turns into a chore. This device provides drivers with a sense of independence--by not having to ask a stranger to loosen their cap--, an additional way to save money, and the biggest hidden benefit, improved air quality.
After refueling, a gas cap should be tightened down until it clicks four to five times to ensure the tank is properly sealed (85% of the gas caps on the road have this clicking mechanism). A loose or missing gas cap can cause up to 30 gallons of gasoline to evaporate from a gas tank every year. A properly sealed gas tank not only saves the consumer money; it also saves the environment. Plus, if a person drives a newer model car with a loose gas cap, their Check Engine Light will turn on because the vehicle's computer senses a leak in the system. So it is not uncommon for the owner of a new car to take their vehicle back to the dealership for a diagnostic test only to then find out they didn't tighten their gas cap securely.
Estimates based on in-use fleet testing show that between 15% to 20% of gas caps are not closed properly. Assuming one-fourth of the 20% under-tightened caps could be brought to proper performance, and assuming an approximate 1 million gasoline-vehicle fleet (pre-1997 vehicles) are located in southeastern Wisconsin, 100,000 to 1 million volatized gallons of gasoline could be "saved". By minimizing the vapor, we minimize the concern for toxics like benzene and 1,3-butadiene. Additionally, we are reducing VOC emissions that contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone.
"Even though it's a small device, the clean air benefits are huge," said Robelia.
If an individual is interested in getting their own free gas cap wrench, they can visit the Wisconsin Partners for Clean Air web site, at www.cleanairwisconsin.org, to order online. Or, call 1-866-324-5924 and press "0" for assistance.