  |
|
|
Department of Ecology News Release - November 15, 2001
01-192
OLYMPIA - As people are planning their holiday shopping, they also should make time to have their vehicle emissions inspected - before the holidays.
The Department of Ecology (Ecology) wants people to know that vehicle-emission check stations will be closed during the holidays:
"We want to give people as much notice as possible, so they can plan accordingly," said Stu Clark, policy manager of Ecology's air-quality program. "Getting their emissions checked may not be the first thing on their minds during the holidays, but we sure don't want people waiting to get their emission checks done on days that the stations will be closed or waiting in long lines when they re-open."
All car and truck owners in Clark, King, Pierce, Snohomish and Spokane counties with vehicles between five and 25 years old must have their vehicles inspected for air pollution every other year. This year, that applies to cars with model years from 1977 through 1996.
The emission check coincides with the month the vehicle's license is renewed. The car or truck must pass the emission check before getting a new license.
A private contractor operates emission-check stations. The inspectors measure the amount of carbon monoxide (odorless gas) and hydrocarbons (partially burned gasoline), which can make people sick if too much of it is released into the air. Cars and trucks are Washington state's largest source of air pollution, and the emission checks help to reduce that problem.
Twenty emission-check stations serve approximately 900,000 people every year. The stations are open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The stations close for four holidays a year - New Year's, Independence, Thanksgiving and Christmas days. The stations may also close during severe weather.
CONTACT: Mary Getchell, Public Information Manager, (360) 407-6157; pager, (360) 534-8590
FOR MORE INFORMATION: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/air/airhome.html
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
