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Clear the Air for Kids!

Clear the Air for Kids!. February 12, 2007 2007 National Air Quality Conference. Clear the Air for Kids!. Educational outreach for school districts Encouraging enforcement of anti-idling policies Assistance with grant applications Encourage expanding idle-reduction to

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Clear the Air for Kids!

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  1. Clear the Air for Kids! February 12, 2007 2007 National Air Quality Conference

  2. Clear the Air for Kids! • Educational outreach for school districts • Encouraging enforcement of anti-idling • policies • Assistance with grant applications • Encourage expanding idle-reduction to • broader population

  3. Who is involved with CAK?

  4. SEQL helps communities in the 15-county Charlotte metro region work together to find solutions.

  5. Bus emissions are a regional issue: • 11 NC counties in the SEQL region • 15 school districts – 490 schools • 285 elementary schools • 101 middle schools • 94 high schools • 10 special schools

  6. Bus stats: • 2,707 yellow buses in region • 281 activity buses in region

  7. How are we getting the word out….. • Developed a relationship with school transportation directors • Provided information packets on CAK to all superintendents, transportation directors and public information officers • Encouraged used of CAK video on government channels and education channels

  8. Getting the word out…. • Started in Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools – largest system in the region • Carolinas Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) volunteers – tried contacting individual schools to set up a meeting with PTA President • Process did not work – too labor intensive • CCAC decided to concentrate on 25 schoolswith the highest asthma population

  9. Getting the word out…. • Centralina focused attention on the other 10 counties and begin requesting time on the agenda of district principals meetings • In 10-15 minutes you reach all the principals with the same information Clear the Air for Kids! Carolinas Clean Air Coalition Sustainable Environment for Quality of Life (SEQL)

  10. Getting the word out…. • Packets are distributed to elementary principals with • Turn off your engine card for each parent • Bookmarks for third graders • Information for school newsletters • CD with background information on emission and children’s health • SEQL information • EPA materials on school bus emissions

  11. CAK campaign was kicked off on October 24, 2006 with EPA Region 4 Administrator Jimmy Palmer and NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Bill Ross attending

  12. Handout for parents…. Why is idling of vehicles a problem? • Vehicle exhaust is hazardous to human health, especially children. Studies have linked pollution from vehicles to increased rates of cancer, heart and lung disease, asthma and allergies. • Idling wastes resources and damages the environment. Burning fuel needlessly costs you money and contributes to air pollution problems. • Encourage idle reduction of school buses. • Turn off your car when waiting for your children in the carpool lines. • Stop using the drive thru.

  13. Bookmarks for third graders – 10 Things Kids Can Do • Companion piece to our – 100 ways you can improve the environment

  14. 100 ways you can improve the environment • Simple ways you can make a difference

  15. Grant from NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources is providing three signs for each school in the 11 NC SEQL counties

  16. Results…. All 15 school districts have anti-idling policies in place for buses

  17. Results… • 625 yellow buses have been retrofitted • Funding provided by • EPA Clean School Bus Grants • NC DENR Mobile Source • Emissions Grants • CMS district has • 40 buses with DPFs • using ULSD • 8 natural gas buses • Rowan-Salisbury district • has 23 buses with • recirc devices

  18. Results….. Gaston County Schools producing biodiesel from used cooking oil – goal to produce 100,000 gallons this yearCabarrus County Schools setting up biodiesel production process

  19. Results… • By March 2007 Clear the Air for Kids! packets will • be in the hands of 490 principals • This represents 330,779 students and their • parents • And 26,688 third graders who will have the 10 • Things Kids Can Do bookmarks

  20. For additional information contact: Carol Lewis Sustainable Environment for Quality of Life P.O. Box 35008 Charlotte, NC  28235 Phone: 704-348-2730  Fax: 704-347-4710 clewis@centralina.org

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