Washington State Department of Ecology

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 13, 2000

00-063

Contacts: Mike Ragan, Emission Check regional supervisor, 425-649-7114
Larry Altose, public information, 425-649-7192

Kent Emission Check Station named year's best

KENT -- The Kent motor vehicle emissions testing center has been named 1999 Station of the Year by the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) Northwest Regional Office. The station ranked first among 12 stations in King and Snohomish counties for providing quality service to motorists.

The Kent Emission Check station at 407 Washington Ave. N. is managed by Vern Hagglund. Enivrotest Systems, Inc. owns and operates the stations, as well as eight more in three other counties, under a state contract.

"The stations in our region see over 800,000 customers each year," said Ecology regional Emission Check supervisor Mike Ragan. "Station-of-the-month and station-of-the-year has created some friendly competition among our 12 facilities that promotes a good experience for a lot of vehicle owners."

Ecology staff make unannounced inspections of emission stations at least once a month to ensure the accuracy of emissions testing. The rankings program was introduced last year to recognize stations for staffing, appearance and customer service.

Ecology named the Marysville facility, 117 Beach Ave., Roy Wenzel, manager, as first runner-up. Honorable mention went to North Seattle, 12040 Aurora Ave. N., Calvin Green Jr., manager, and to Kirkland, 12415 132^nd Ave. N.E., Karen Neely, manager.

Inspections identify vehicles with excessive tailpipe emissions so they can be serviced. Repairs to these cars, trucks and buses help reduce vehicle emissions as a whole by 20 percent and help the Puget Sound region meet national clean-air standards.

Stations operate Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. To sidestep waiting in line, avoid the busiest testing times: Tuesdays and the first and last three days of the month. Arrive with your vehicle fully warmed up with 10 to 20 minutes of driving time.