N.B. bans idling in gov't vehicle fleet

The New Brunswick government told its employees Wednesday that if the province's 800 vehicles are not in motion, the motors shouldn't be running.

Vehicle tailpipes spew out greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. From now on, people driving government carsshould idle for no more than five minutes for every hour of driving.

Transportation Minister Denis Landry said the policy will yield good results in two ways.

"We will be saving like $400,000 … and it will be 1,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases."

One Conservative MLA wasn't eager to comment on the policy. Last week, Margaret Ann Blaney was spotted sitting in her idling SUV for several minutes.

She said she'll try to do better for the environment.

"Well, you should never idle your vehicle," Blaney said. "You should be conscious of it at all times."

The biggest impact of the anti-idling policymight be felt at restaurant drive-throughs, but itwon't affect Landry, who drives a hybrid that shuts off its gas engine atevery stop.