The article reviews how Chicago area public works officials used the challenges of potential road salt shortages last winter to examine their snowfighting strategies and improve salt management -- what the Salt Institute has preached for 40 years as "Sensible Salting ." Mick Zawislak reports in the Daily Herald :
With salt in good supply and at a more reasonable cost, the panic of last season has passed. But it taught a lasting lesson to those charged with clearing the streets.
As a proven way to save money and help protect the environment, the area's lower-salt diet is expected to continue this winter. Though winter is months away, local officials have recently decided how much salt they'll buy for 2009-10.
The storyline continues:
For the upcoming season, salt bids were sent to vendors by the state's Department of Central Management Services in May, two months earlier than last year. Securing supplies sooner was one of several changes made in the state bidding process after review by the offices of the Illinois Attorney General and Auditor General as well as input from those affected by the high prices. About 700 entities this year secured salt through CMS.
While the figurative storm has passed, changes in how and when salt is applied or used in tandem with other substances, like beet juice, are becoming part of the standard operating procedure.
"In terms of salt usage, you'll see a change in philosophy," said Dave Lawry, general services group director for the city of Elgin.
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