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Idaho Transportation
Department
Office of Communications
P.O. Box 7129
Boise, ID 83707
208.334.8005
Fax: 208.334.8563

 


ITD presents action plan for reducing
greenhouse gases

ITD employees commuting to and from work contribute an estimated 3,468 tons of carbon dioxide to the earth’s atmosphere annually, according to a greenhouse gas report submitted to the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality.

The 2008-09 Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Action Plan was created in response to an executive order issued by Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter last May that charges all state agencies with reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

It required state agencies to develop a greenhouse gas emission inventory and make recommendations on reducing those emissions.

Patti Raino coordinated ITD’s effort, under the direction of Matt Moore, administrator of ITD’s Division of Transportation Planning and Programming. A dozen ITD employees, representing a broad spectrum of disciplines, met last summer and fall to discuss ways the department could reduce greenhouse emissions.

The final report was submitted to the DEQ Feb.18, and Raino provided an overview of the report for transportation board members Wednesday.

In addition to the estimated impact of ITD commuters, the action plan also indicates that maintenance activities – ITD’s vehicle fleet, non-road vehicles and equipment – account for approximately 19,013 tons of carbon dioxide annually. Energy used to generate electricity for ITD’s 565 buildings adds about 4,113 tons of CO2, and the combustion of fuels to heat buildings contributes an estimated 4,008 tons annually.

ITD has implemented a variety of measures the past decade to become more energy efficient, primarily as a way of reducing costs. A dozen improvements have been completed at Headquarters, ranging from replacing heat pumps, fluorescent lights and heating and air conditioning units to landscaping and updating restroom facilities.

Thirty-nine similar improvements have been made at district facilities, according to the action plan. In 2006, ITD also installed a video conference system that linked district offices with Headquarters. Since the system was introduced, 432 video conferences have been coordinated, saving travel between locations and increasing ITD’s efficiency.

Measures are being considered to reduce emissions from vehicles used in the course of regular business include:

  • By April 1, 2008 publish an ITD Director’s memo on Energy Conservation and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Guidelines
  • Idle Time – By July 2009, ITD will complete an evaluation of LED amber warning lights that allow employees to shut off vehicle engines while still operating the warning lights without draining batteries
  • Idle time – By January 2009, ITD will evaluate current fleet practices and develop an anti-idle policy for ITD fleet equipment. In conjunction, those units of equipment equipped with idle shut-down timers will have the timer set in accordance with ITD policy.
  • Hybrid vehicle use – By August 2008, ITD will have evaluated the various hybrid vehicles offered from manufacturer’s to determine if these vehicles are available in configurations that will meet ITD vehicle needs. For those vehicle types, ITD will begin purchasing additional hybrid vehicles in FY-2009.
  • Existing hybrid vehicle use – By June 2008, ITD will implement a policy encouraging vehicle users to utilize existing hybrid vehicles on long, multiple-day trips. Currently, hybrid vehicles are only used for short trips within the Boise valley and as a result, the total vehicle mileage is low.
  • E85 fueling site – By July 2009, ITD will conduct a cost/benefit analysis of having an E85 fuel site located at the District 3 Headquarters facility. This analysis will address the costs associated with the facility in conjunction with the quantity of E85 compatible vehicles that are owned and operated by ITD and other state agencies.
  • Fuel consumption evaluation – By July 2008, ITD will conduct an evaluation of our vehicle fuel consumption in terms of miles per gallon for calendar years, 2005, 2006, and 2007. This evaluation will provide ITD with fuel consumption data so additional action plans can be developed to improve fuel efficiency of our vehicles.

ITD recognizes the need to reduce emissions and cut fuel use, while at the same time ensuring safe travel on the state’s highways, especially in the winter. The severity of any given winter can impact the number of miles driven. These variables may make it difficult in any one year to reduce emissions.

The goal is to develop a five-year running average, which will help to normalize the variability in any given year. With this information ITD will be able to establish a reduction goal without compromising the safety of the driving public.

Immediately ITD will track alternative fuel purchases in order to take credit for reductions due to the renewable portion of the fuel.

See alternative work schedules

Published 2-22-8