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RDC introduces idle-free zones

Red Deer College is going greener. Inspired by three nursing students — Amelia Creagh, Rebecca Shephard and Steven Prosser — RDC has expanded its green campus to include idle free zones.
idle-free-RHYNO
Red Deer College nursing students Amelia Creagh (left) and Rebecca Shephard along with Steven Prosser (not pictured) helped turn the college into an idle free zone. RDC along with NOVA Chemicals Corporation

Red Deer College is going greener.

Inspired by three nursing students — Amelia Creagh, Rebecca Shephard and Steven Prosser — RDC has expanded its green campus to include idle free zones.

Some idle frees signs are already in place outside major entrances while others will be put up around the college in the next few days.

The college, along with Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre, NOVA Chemicals Corp. for its Joffre petrochemical site, Peavey Mart Red Deer and Bower Place Shopping Centre, were recognized for their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on Clean Air Day on Wednesday.

They also joined the City of Red Deer’s coalition of idle free partners and will create idle free zones outside their facilities.

All college vehicles will now bear the Idle Free Red Deer bumper stickers.

The Parkland Airshed Management Zone gave the nod to the groups as ACTION HEROes (Action for a Healthy Environment by Reducing Ozone) at the college.

Creagh, 23, and her peers were on a clinical placement at a local school when they noticed the idle-free signs.

“We thought it would be a great thing to bring to Red Deer College because it wasn’t already implemented,” said Creagh. “We thought it would be a great political action knowing that the City of Red Deer is spearheading the campaign.”

Shephard, 19, said as nursing students it is important to promote a healthy environment for everyone.

Kevin Warren, executive director of the Parkland Airshed Management Zone, said the awards were created as a way to encourage individuals, businesses, organizations to take actions that would lead to better air quality.

Warren said it is too early to tell whether the city’s two-year-old idle free campaign is making a difference. Warren said there is one air quality monitoring station in Red Deer with plans for another at the Lancaster reservoir.

“Once that is in place we think we will be able to assess any trends that are happening in terms of emission reduction.”

Warren said the future is in good hands when students recognize the role that they can play.

Lauren Maris, a city environmental program specialist, said air quality is becoming more of a problem in Red Deer.

“We can’t always take for granted we are going to have good air quality. Reducing vehicle idling is such an easy choice,” said Maris. “It is so easy to just turn the key and be idle free. People can make this easy choice.”

NOVA Chemicals was recognized for programs that encouraged reducing vehicle emissions and Bower Place was given the nod for its work to become more energy efficient. Peavey Mart has done its part for installing an electric vehicle charging station in Red Deer.

To find out more about the city’s idle free campaign go to www.reddeer.ca/idlefree

crhyno@www.reddeeradvocate.com