News Release

For release: June 2, 2003

Contacts:
Michelle Butler, Air Quality Division, Portland, (503) 229-5178
Nina DeConcini, Communications & Outreach Manager, Portland, (503) 229-6271

CHOICES Program Again Offers Alternatives to Drivers Whose Vehicles Have Failed DEQ Emission Tests

Older cars that can’t pass in the Portland area may be voluntarily scrapped in exchange for one of three monetary incentives, through Aug. 31

For the third straight year, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has teamed with transportation-oriented businesses and Tri-Met to offer alternatives to drivers whose vehicles fail the state’s emissions test.

CHOICES, a voluntary vehicle-scrapping program, is designed for drivers of older vehicles that fail DEQ’s emission tests in the Portland area. The program, which this year runs through Aug. 31, provides other less expensive, less polluting and sometimes even more convenient transportation alternatives. The program is made possible through the efforts of The Bike Gallery, Flexcar, Portland Auto Wrecking, Schnitzer Steel and Tri-Met.

Older vehicles – especially those made before 1987 – put substantially more pollution into the air than newer vehicles, and vehicles are the primary source of air pollution in Oregon. DEQ tests an average of 2,200 vehicles daily to make sure their emissions control systems are working properly. About one-third of all tested vehicles fail the test and are repaired, often at a high cost, with little benefit to air quality.

In exchange for scrapping a vehicle, the CHOICES program offers one of the following incentives:

  • A free Tri-Met all-zone annual bus pass. (This pass costs $615 for people under age 65. People 65 and over as well as disabled citizens typically pay $175 for the annual pass)
  • A $500 certificate to The Bike Gallery, good toward any purchase of a bicycle or other bike equipment
  • A $500 credit to the Flexcar car-sharing program
Last year, more than 70 motorists from the Portland metro area took part in CHOICES, scrapping their environmentally unfriendly vehicles for alternative modes of transportation. The program allows the more than 120 DEQ-certified auto repair outlets an opportunity to steer customers to alternatives to repairs that aren’t worth the cost.

To be eligible for CHOICES, motorists must have vehicles that do not pass DEQ emission testing and must have been insured continuously for one year. To participate, individuals can request an application form by calling (503) 229-5739 or by visiting the CHOICES Web page at www.deq.state.or.us (click on “Air Quality”). CHOICES is funded through Aug. 31, 2003 through a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

For more information about the program, contact Michelle Butler of DEQ’s Air Quality Division, Portland, (503) 229-5178 or via e-mail at CHOICES@deq.state.or.us.

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