Washington State Department of Ecology

News Release

Department of Ecology News Release - Aug. 24, 2000

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Governor to honor program that helps low-income motorists get emission repairs

OLYMPIA – Gov. Gary Locke will present an award next week to an innovative program that helps hundreds of low-income Clark County residents afford pollution repairs so their vehicles can pass emission inspections.

Locke will present a "Governor's Award for Service and Quality Improvement" to the Emission Repair and Assistance Program (ERAP) on Aug. 28 in Olympia.

The program is a joint effort of the Department of Ecology, the Southwest Clean Air Agency, Clark County's Community Action Program, and The Salvation Army of Clark County – which administers the project. Forty-three auto-repair centers in Clark County also cooperate in the effort.

Motorists whose vehicles fail emissions tests in Clark County receive information about ERAP. The Salvation Army issues vouchers worth up to $450 for repairs at participating repair shops to vehicle owners who meet the program's criteria. Without ERAP, vehicle owners may obtain a waiver from emission standards only after spending $150 on repairs out of their own pockets.

"This demonstrates what you can accomplish when a community comes together to accomplish a common goal," said Curt Piesch, an emission-check specialist for Ecology. "In this case, we all breathe cleaner air, since more vehicles get repaired."

Emissions from ERAP vehicles are reduced an average 65 percent. An average ERAP repair costs $300.

"Low-income families rely heavily on their vehicles for transportation," said Steve Rusk, business administrator for The Salvation Army of Clark County. "People need cars for job searches, commuting or the errands everyone needs to get by. These repairs make the cars more dependable, so it's a lifesaver for many families."

ERAP began in 1997 as a temporary pilot program with funds from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Southwest Clean Air Agency obtained additional EPA grants to re-start the program in 1999. Clark County's Community Action Program provides continuing support through the federal Community Services Block Grant.

The program has served more than 400 vehicle owners, with average monthly incomes of approximately $800.

Contacts: Larry Altose, 425-649-7192, Washington Dept. of Ecology
Bob Elliott, 360-574-3058, Southwest Clean Air Agency
Steve Rusk, 360-892-9050, Salvation Army of Clark County
Maureen Witters, (360) 397-2075 ext.7832, Clark County Community Services and Corrections