The District of West Kelowna is not staying idle on when it comes to the idling of its vehicles.
A new policy, adopted Tuesday, will prevent District of West Kelowna staff from idling the district-owned vehicles for more than five minutes.
The anti-idling policy is aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Several members of council called the policy “warm and fuzzy” but largely unenforceable.
“This is a feel good policy; I don’t see how we would enforce it,” said Coun. Rick de Jong.
“I’m certainly in favour of being green, but I think this can be conveyed in a friendlier manner than having an official policy on idling. I just think this is creating more bureaucratic red tape that doesn’t need to exist.”
Coun. Carol Zanon agreed with de Jong.
“I look at this as an infringement on our staff. This is big brother is watching and encourages other people to have a second look at their fellow employee. I don’t like that,” said Zanon.
Mayor Doug Findlater said that, from time to time, the district is asked to regulate the private sector with regard to idling; therefore, it would responsible to have regulations of its own.
“Reducing our own emissions by example is something we can do to encourage other people in that way,” said Findlater.
The decision won’t have any effect on the public’s vehicle idling habits; rather, just staff members of the district.
Operators of District of West Kelowna vehicles must ensure that their vehicles are not idling for more than five minutes unless they are stopped in traffic, using their vehicle for an operational activity, or if extreme temperatures require the vehicle’s heat or air-conditioning for the wellbeing of passengers.
The policy was adopted with a vote of four to three.
wpaterson@kelownacapnews.com
