In 2007, the State College Borough Council made a commitment to sustainability by passing Resolution 944, a Commitment to be a Climate Protection Community, with a set of goals targeting the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Since then, the Borough has been working diligently to achieve those goals to reduce environmental impact and increase the quality of life for State College residents.

Steps that the Borough has taken to increase air quality include: 

• Implementing a passenger fleet comprised of energy-efficient hybrids, and utilizing biodiesel and CNG for heavy equipment and trucks
• Increasing bicycle connectivity and facilities and being named a Bronze-level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists
• Installing anti-idling signs throughout the community as a reminder not to idle your vehicle

View the Greenhouse Mitigation Final Report for more information on the Borough's progress.

Why You Should Care

A big factor in air quality is transportation emissions. The Environmental Protection Agency reports that transportation accounts for 28 percent of greenhouse gas pollution in the United States. EPA data also shows that emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from gasoline, light-duty vehicles contribute about 41 percent of total emissions from on-road vehicles. NOx are a main contributing factor to ground-level ozone, a powerful pollutant that damages human health, vegetation, and property. Breathing exhaust fumes is linked to increases in prevalence and severity of asthma, allergies, heart and lung disease, cancer, and autism.

Be a part of the solution - Turn it off

Turning off your personal vehicle while not in transit is an easy way to reduce emissions.

Did you know:

• Letting a vehicle idle burns more fuel than restarting
  • After 10 seconds of idling, your car will have burned more fuel than it would have if you restarted it.
• Turning off your car is better for your engine and the environment
  • Idling can damage your engine components by running on partially combusted fuel
  • Every 10 minutes of idling cut saves 1 lbs of carbon dioxide.

Other ways to cut vehicular emissions

There are many different ways you can help reduce your carbon footprint and help maintain clean air for all in State College:

• Carpool
  • Sharing a ride decreases the number of particle pollutants and emissions in the air.
  • RideShare and VanPool services are available through CATA.
• Walk to nearby places
  • Increase your daily steps while decreasing emissions!
  • Need a suggestion on where to walk? Check out the State College Tree Walk, the shops, and restaurants downtown, or the trails in local parks.
• Commute by bike
  • Before you ride, take the time to review bicycle safety laws and ordinances, and to check out the locations of regional paths, routes and bike lanes.
  • CATA makes it easy to make biking part of your commute. Buses have bike racks on the front so you can easily bike to and from the bus stop.