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Heroes in the Quest for Clean Air

THEY DON’T HAVE A THEME SONG OR A CATCHY SLOGAN, BUT SOME CALIFORNIA DRIVERS ARE BECOMING HEROES IN THE FIGHT AGAINST SMOG.  LEARN MORE ON TODAY’S ENVIRONMINUTE.

TO COMBAT THE HIGH SMOG LEVEL IN ORANGE COUNTY, THE SOUTH COAST AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT IS PAYING DRIVERS TO LOWER THEIR EMISSIONS.  THE PROGRAM IS CALLED HIGH EMITTER REPAIR OR SCRAP, OR HEROES FOR SHORT.

SPOKESPERSON SAM ATWOOD SAYS REMOTE SENSORS ARE USED TO MEASURE THE EMISSIONS OF PASSING CARS AND TO IDENTIFY THE WORST POLLUTERS.  THEN THE DRIVERS ARE CONTACTED BY MAIL AND GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO FIX THEIR CARS.

ATWOOD: WE OFFER AN INCENTIVE OF FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS UP TO A THOUSAND DOLLARS TO HAVE THOSE VEHICLES REPAIRED OR SCRAPPED.

IT’S A VOLUNTARY PROGRAM – AND THOSE WHO ARE TAKING PART ARE TRUE HEROES IN THE BATTLE FOR CLEAN AIR.

THE ENVIRONMINUTE IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE HEINZ FAMILY PHILANTHROPIES AND THE HEINZ ENDOWMENTS.  LEARN MORE BY VISITING ENVIRONMINUTE-DOT-COM. 

Read more about remote sensing from the South Coast AQMD.

Learn more about the Clean Air Choices Program.