Government provides funding to assist Smart Taxis Encouraging Environmental Respect (STEER) in its emissions reduction efforts

NLIS 1
March 7, 2006
(Environment and Conservation)

Government provides funding to assist Smart Taxis Encouraging Environmental Respect (STEER)
in its emissions reduction efforts

Environment and Conservation Minister Tom Osborne presented a cheque in the amount of $5,000 to the Smart Taxis Encouraging Environmental Respect (STEER) committee in support of various climate change initiatives undertaken by the committee. Funding will assist STEER in further outreach activities to the taxi industry.

"Government is pleased to provide funding to STEER as their activities are in line with the province�s objectives under the Climate Change Action Plan," said Minister Osborne. "The transportation sector accounts for approximately 40 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions in this province. This important initiative was developed at the grass-roots level and was the first one in the country to address the taxi industry."

STEER�s key messages to drivers on how to reduce vehicle emissions are:

Keep your tires properly inflated: For every two pounds per square inch of under-inflation, fuel consumption increases by one per cent.

Don�t idle your vehicle: If you idle for more than 10 seconds, you will use more fuel than it would take to restart your engine.

Keep your car maintained: A poorly maintained car can consume between five per cent and 50 per cent more fuel than one that is properly maintained.

Monitor your driving speed: Driving 90 kilometres per hour rather than 100 kilometres per hour can reduce fuel consumption by 10 per cent. Driving 100 kilometres per hour rather than 120 kilometres per hour can reduce fuel consumption by 20 per cent.

Avoid driving with a heavy load or with added wind resistance: Fuel consumption will increase when adding any amount of weight to a car.

STEER began in 2002 as an initiative of the taxi industry. STEER�s mission is to reduce vehicle emissions through education about environmentally-friendly driving techniques and vehicle maintenance. Through a series of workshops, outreach, and various media events, STEER has been successful in educating over 200 local taxi drivers on ways to reduce emissions.

For more information on STEER, contact Catherine Allix, STEER Project Coordinator, at 690-1137 or visit www.steersj.ca

Media contact: Tina Coffey, Communications, (709) 729-5783, 728-8650

2006 03 07 9:40 a.m.

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