Around the same time, Wayne became a member of ACORN--the Addison County Relocalization Network, a newly formed Middlebury post-carbon/localization group. ACORN was formed to address, in many ways, the interrelated issues of global warming and peak oil (the peaking of world oil production that would then be followed by a decline). In mulling over possibilities of starting an idle-free campaign, Wayne was encouraged and inspired by helpful feedback in meetings with ACORN members.

Wayne continued pursuing the idea of an idle-free campaign for the area of Vermont he lives in after searching and discovering other idle-free cities and towns in Canada (Our neighbors to the north have been way ahead of us on idle-reduction.) and the USA. These locations have no-idle street signs strategically placed and have enacted enforceable laws. In Vermont, there were other local and regional idle-free efforts such as the 10 Percent Challenge in Burlington, and Post Oil Solutions, in Brattelboro. In addition, Burlington has a municipal idle-reduction ordinance (see Idling Facts & Laws page).

In 2006, Wayne discovered a successful local idle-free campaign in Lenox, Massachusetts, organized by Rick Gregg, of the Lenox Environmental Committee. Rick also observed folks idling needlessly which, in 2001, spurred him to act. Support for the grassroots effort was built on contact with schools, "cornerstones" of the community (board of health, chamber of commerce, dept. of public works), flyer handouts and media coverage. The initative gained further credibility with grants and outside sponsors. One other important fact is that, unlike Vermont, Massachusetts has an all motor vehicles idle-reduction law (see Idling Facts & Laws page). In 2004, the Lenox Selectboard officially designated Lenox "idle-free". Still, there remains an ongoing effort to raise an awareness of unnecessary idling in Lenox.

Wayne and his ACORN supporters realized that the Lenox model could be applied to towns in Vermont and there were thoughts of campaigning in some Addison County towns. But then the idea of a farther reaching, statewide campaign that would feature a petition drive was the challenge Wayne wanted. He remembered participating in the "ironing board" actions of the INFACT GE Boycott of the 1980s--with the successful result of getting GE out of the nuclear weapons business. This nationwide grassroots campaign utilized petitioning actions in public gathering locations was the inspiration for Idle-Free VT's 2006 petition drive.

In its continuing effort to make Vermont "idle-free", Idle-Free VT has gone on to be part of the legislative lobbying effort that led to enactment of the 2007 Vermont school bus idle-reduction law, partnered with others in Business Idle-Free to raise awareness about idling in the business community and in 2008 successfully worked with the DMV resulting in Idle-Free VT flyers and posters being placed in all six DMV office locations (replenished in 2009).

Currently: 2011. Besides seeking to continue having an ongoing presence in the media (op-eds, radio psas, etc.), the campaign is focusing on several efforts: Wayne continues as an active member of a group of Vemont no idling advocates formed in 2009: VCRVI--Vermont Coalition to Reduce Vehicle Idling; is a coordinator of Vermont Idle-Free Fleets, a DEC funded (2010-2012) American Lung Association idling reduction program, working with fleet operators in Chittenden and Rutland counties and with town energy committees in 10 selected towns, and is working on a three-pronged effort to reach school students and new drivers in learning to avoid unnecessary idling.

The future: 2012. Idle-Free VT is seeking a grant for a project showing Vermont fleet operators the benefits of adopting an idling reduction policy, called Idle-Free For Fleet$; will encourage town Energy Committees to adopt No Idling Resolutions for their towns in advance of Town Meeting Day; will once again lobby for passage of a 10,000 lbs.+ vehicle idling bill in the legislature, or mandated as a regulation by a state agency.

The Idle-Free VT campaign continues to grow in recognition with increased interest and partnerships around the state, and on the national level with mention in the Department of Energy's National Idling Reduction Network Newsletter for raising awareness of vehicle owner's manual statements to avoid excessive idling. As of 2011 the campaign has received correspondence from idling advocates and campaigns in 20 other states and Canada. For 2011 the idlefreevt.org website is averaging 400 visits a month.