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Green Star Air Quality Resources
Air Quality is now part of the Green Star Award. It is an issue that affects us all. The health of a community is tied to the quality of the air its citizens breathe. Carbon monoxide (C0) emissions from vehicles during cold winter months comprise Anchorage's most serious air quality threat. These emissions are highest during morning and evening commute times and are often concentrated in neighborhoods with higher densities of vehicles that are older and/or parked outside garages. More history on Air Quality issues in Anchorage.
To read past articles about a variety of Air Quality topics, visit the E-News archives.
Visit Green Star's web calendar of events for air quality events.
Helpful Links
SUMMER AIR QUALITY
BIKE TO WORK DAY -- MAY 15, 2008
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National Park Service staff bike to work.
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CH2M Hill hosts a bike tune-up event for staff.
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Bike to Work Day 2008 is Thursday May 15.
By promoting Bike to Work Day, we hope to motivate commuters to leave their cars at home (for at least one day!), help reduce local traffic congestion, and improve air quality. In addition, the increased physical activity of biking to work means improved productivity, decreased rates of illness, reduced absenteeism, and lower health care costs. These all benefit employers as well as the employees.
Last year, 50 business representing over 539 bikers signed up for the challenge. Over 30 businesses and organizations sponsored the event by contributing gear, gift certificates, and other goods for a prize drawing. And dozens of volunteers helped distribute fliers, solicit sponsors, and count riders.
To participate as a rider:
Register your workplace team on-line at http://www.muni.org/biketowork. Send us an email at biketowork@muni.org with the following information:
• Type your workplace team name in the ‘subject’ line.
• Give the name, phone and e-mail address of the team captain or team contact. An alternate contact is strongly recommended.
• Provide the names of team members and their T-shirt size preference (Men’s S-XXL).
T-shirt supplies are limited and will be reserved on a first-come first-served basis, so sign your team up early! Download our sign up sheet for a handy recruitment tool.
To participate as a business sponsor:
Download the Business Sponsorship form at http://www.muni.org/biketowork and fax it to 343-4786, or email the following information to biketowork@muni.org:
• Business name (for web site)
• Brief description of prize (for web site)
• Business contact name, title, mailing address, phone and/or email address
• Business logo (tif, gif, or jpeg) for web site
Benefits of sponsorship include: logo featured on web site, listing of business and prize description, Bike to Work certificate of appreciation for display in your business.
To participate as a volunteer:
If you are interested in helping count riders on May 15, please email Lori at SchancheLE@muni.org.
Need more information? Email us at: biketowork@muni.org
WINTER AIR QUALITY
FREE ENGINE BLOCK HEATER TIMERS
THIS PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE OCTOBER THROUGH MARCH
Do you park your car outdoors at night? For those Anchorage residents who already have an engine block heater in their vehicle, Green Star still has free programmable outdoor timers (approx. $15 value) available. Using a programmable timer to warm your vehicle’s block heater will cut electricity costs to about 20 cents per plug-in, while allowing you to reduce fuel use, engine wear, and idle time. Tell your friends and neighbors!
Studies show that using an engine block heater whenever it's 20ºF or colder for two to three hours prior to starting your personal or business vehicle can cut carbon monoxide emissions by an average of 60%.
Remember, the benefits of plugging in your engine are many, including:
- Saving gas
- Reducing engine wear
- Increasing vehicle dependability
- Decreasing carbon monoxide emissions and other pollutants
Call 278-7827 to learn more. Timers are available at Green Star's office.
 IDLE-FREE ZONE SIGNS
Receive a free 17" x 22" metal Idle-Free Zone sign for your business or school if you enroll in Green Star's Air Quality Award program. Visit Green Star's Tool Kit to order a sign. Additional signs are available for $20 each.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER INSTALLATION PROGRAM
DISCONTINUED
Please contact your own dealership or mechanic if you still need an engine block heater installed in your vehicle.
Using a block heater for two to three hours prior to a cold start can cut CO (carbon monoxide) emissions by an average of 60%. Commuters can use a programmable timer to start their block heater a few hours before their morning commute and cut electricity costs to about 15 cents per plug-in.
The Municipality of Anchorage Department of Health and Human Services encourages everyone to plug in. Plugging in your vehicle’s engine block heater when temperatures fall below 20 degrees is one of the best ways to keep our air clean.
For vehicles already equipped with block heaters, programmable timers are on order and will be distributed again this year through Green Star. Motorists may call Green Star’s recorded message at 278-7827 for distribution dates and sites.
This program is funded through AMATS (Anchorage Metropolitan Area Transportation Solutions) using Federal Highway Administration money designated for air quality improvement projects.
Please call 343-4003 or visit www.muni.org for further details.
Programs
- A Buck or Two for AQ is a Green Star incentive program to encourage alternative transportation for business commuters.
- Municipality of Anchorage Air Quality Program will link you to information about engine block heaters, Anchorage's current air quality status, health advisories, and other air quality-related issues.
- American Lung Association offers resources and detailed information about air pollutants and acceptable levels.
- People Mover Public Transportation has various programs and services that help reduce air pollution.
- People Mover Ride Match makes carpooling easy by providing a free, confidential, on-line matching service for local commuters.
- Valley residents can find out about the door-to-door bus service provided in the Valley by MASCOT.
- A Walking School Bus is just one creative idea Anchorage could model to improve air quality and create a sense of community.
FOR MORE AIR QUALITY LINKS, VISIT RESOURCES
Documents
Green Star Tip Sheets
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Additional Links:
Green Star Award
Green Events
Green Star Schools
Site Assessments
Electronics Recycling
AK Materials Exchange
AME Listings
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