Date:  Thursday, April 22, 2010

Contact: Lloyd Brown, WSDOT Communications, 360-705-7076

OLYMPIA – Earth Day for many is filled with special events to pay tribute and attention to our environment. For employees of the Washington State Department of Transportation, each day is Earth Day. For more than 20 years, WSDOT has incorporated environmental components into our everyday operations.

WSDOT is doing its part to reduce carbon emissions and protect air and water quality through new initiatives, technology and policies including:

• Climate change – WSDOT is taking steps to protect the environment from the state’s largest single source of greenhouse gases – transportation.
• West Coast Green Highway – This initiative is a partnership with California, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia to promote the use of alternative fuels. Together we’ll work with private partners to develop alternative fueling-locations all along the Interstate 5 corridor from Mexico to Canada.
• Smarter highways – High-tech overhead signs will display variable speed limits, lane status and real-time traffic information so drivers know what's happening ahead. This smarter highway technology will increase roadway efficiency and help drivers travel safer and smarter. This is just one part of WSDOT’s congestion arsenal.
• Commute choices – Giving people other convenient, cost-effective alternatives to driving alone helps reduce the number of vehicles on our road and the carbon emissions they produce.
• Environmental Stewardship – WSDOT conducts its business in ways that protects our natural resources and prevents pollution wherever reasonably possible.

WSDOT encourages Washington’s citizens to do their part to protect our environment:

• Keep your vehicle tuned up and tires properly inflated. You’ll get better gas mileage and produce less pollution.
• Set a goal to drive less. Combining errands into one trip is one way.
• Adjust your driving speed to conserve fuel.
• Walk or ride your bike for short trips – you’ll be doing something healthy for you and the environment.
• Check with your employer to see what programs your organization may offer – telecommuting, compressed work weeks, bus passes, carpools, or vanpools.
• For your next trip, try taking the bus or a train.
• Consider buying an electric or hybrid for your next vehicle purchase.

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