March 23, 2005
Program Will
Reduce Air Pollution by Nearly 20 Tons Annually
The Southland’s air quality agency opened pre-registration this week for
its popular “Mow Down Air Pollution” program in which consumers can exchange
a highly polluting gasoline mower for a zero-emission electric model for
just $100.
“This is an opportunity for residents to help fight the war on smog in
their own back yards,” said Barry Wallerstein, executive officer of the
South Coast Air Quality Management District. “Using a typical, gas-powered
lawn mower for one year can pollute as much as 43 new cars driven for a
year.”
This year, AQMD plans to exchange 4,000 working gasoline mowers, which
will be destroyed at a scrap yard. By putting these gas mowers out of
commission, smog-forming volatile organic compound emissions will be reduced
by up to 19.7 tons per year -- a smog savings equal to shutting down all of
the Southland’s oil refineries for one day.
At 10 events across the Southland starting on April 2 and continuing each
Saturday until June 11 (except Memorial Day weekend), residents can purchase
a new Neuton™ cordless electric mower, valued at $399, by turning in an
operable gasoline-powered mower and paying $100 in cash, check or major
credit card. Residents must show proof of residency within AQMD’s
jurisdiction.
Unlike previous years, consumers this year must pre-register to
exchange a mower at
www.aqmd.gov or by calling (888)-425-6247. Telephone registration
is available in English and Spanish. Registration is now open for the first
five events. Registration will open on April 26 for the last five events.
Now in its third year, AQMD’s Mow Down Air Pollution program is one of
several consumer empowerment initiatives sponsored by the agency to help
residents reduce air pollution.
After pre-registering on the Internet or by phone, consumers can exchange
their mowers by driving to one of the locations, all of which will offer
“drive-thru” convenience. Workers will remove gas mowers from vehicles and
drain them of hazardous fluids prior to their destruction at a metal
recycling facility. Attendants then place boxed, new mowers in customers’
vehicles.
All events will take place on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. The
schedule is as follows:
|
Date |
City |
Venue |
Street Address |
|
April 2 |
Palm Springs |
City of Palm
Springs, City Hall front parking lot |
3200 Tahquitz
Canyon Way |
|
April 9 |
Chino |
City of Chino,
Public Works Department parking lot |
5050 Schafer Ave. |
|
April 16 |
Burbank |
Public Works
Department, city employee parking lot |
151 W Verdugo Ave. |
|
April 23 |
Arcadia |
Santa Anita Race
Track, Colorado Lot |
285 W Huntington
Dr. (Gate 7) |
|
April 30 |
Anaheim |
Anaheim Stadium,
State College entrance |
2200 E Katella
Ave. |
|
May 7 |
Riverside |
Poly High School |
5450 Victoria Ave. |
|
May 14 |
Redlands |
Redlands Corporate
Yard, across from the fire station |
1250 W Park Ave.,
Gate 35 (between Tennessee and Alabama streets) |
|
May 21 |
Northridge |
Cal State
Northridge |
Intersection of
Lassen St. and Lindley Ave. |
|
June 4 |
Irvine |
Lakeview Senior
Center |
20 Lake Road |
|
June 11 |
Long Beach |
Long Beach City College,
Veterans Memorial Stadium |
5000 Lew Davis St.
(enter from Conant St.) |
The program is funded through AQMD’s Air Quality Investment Program,
which is financed by Southland companies that pay a fee in lieu of offering
rideshare incentives as required by AQMD’s Rule 2202. The lawn mower
exchange program will reduce more emissions than would be achieved by an
employer rideshare program.
AQMD is the air pollution control agency for Orange County and major
portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
|
