MEDIA ROOMNews Releases

RAQC Helps ‘Mow Down’ Ozone Pollution

Mow Down Pollution lawn mower exchange event on May 1

DENVER—April 19, 2010—The Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC) will host its annual “Mow Down Pollution” lawn equipment exchange for Colorado residents on Saturday, May 1. Residents are encouraged to trade in their gas-guzzling lawn mowers in exchange for discounts on eco-friendly models. Mow Down Pollution will be held at the RidgeGate community in Lone Tree just off of Lincoln and I-25. Enter the event near the corner of RidgeGate Parkway and Belvedere Lane just southeast of Target and northwest of the Lone Tree Recreation Center. Participants must register in advance of the event by visiting ozoneaware.org or by calling 1-800-457-8651; a limited number of lawn mowers are available at the event.

With nearly 10 percent of the Denver area’s ozone precursor emissions coming from lawn equipment, the switch to eco-friendly alternatives has the potential to make a significant impact on our air quality and health for years to come. At ground level, ozone is a health hazard for everyone, especially the young and elderly. Those who are active and exercise outdoors may experience breathing difficulties and eye irritation. Prolonged exposure may result in reduced resistance to lung infections and colds. Ozone can also trigger attacks and symptoms in individuals with pre-existing conditions, such as asthma or other respiratory infections like chronic bronchitis and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). “Ground-level ozone pollution is the Denver-area’s biggest air quality concern. Its health impacts are becoming more recognized everyday,” said Ken Lloyd, Executive Director of the RAQC. “It is important
to remember that citizens have the ability to improve our air quality by making simple changes, such as purchasing an eco-friendly lawn mower or only mowing after 5 p.m. if you own a gasoline mower.” At the event, Colorado residents are invited to bring in an old, gasoline-powered lawn mower to exchange it for a discount on a new, Earth-friendly alternative. Neuton provides the eco-friendly mowers. Several models will be available:

• The CE 5 model (retail price $399) will be sold for $150 for those with a mower to exchange and $175 to those without a gasoline lawn mower to recycle.
• The CE 6 model (retail price $499) will be sold for $250 for those with a mower to exchange and $275 to those without a gasoline lawn mower to recycle.
• The Neuton Reel Mower (retail price $99) will be sold for $55 for those with a mower to exchange and $65 to those without a gasoline lawn mower to recycle.

To learn more about these models, please visit www.neutonpower.com/raqc. REGISTER NOW!

For more information about RAQC or the Mow Down Pollution event, please call Sarah Anderson, communications manager, at 303-629-5450 x 220 or visit OzoneAware.org.

About Regional Air Quality Council (www.RAQC.org)

The Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC) is the lead air quality-planning agency for the seven-county Denver-metropolitan area. In existence since 1989, the Council’s main purpose is to develop plans and programs to keep the region in compliance with federal air quality standards, with significant input from area citizens, businesses and local governments. The RAQC also oversees the development and implementation of air quality outreach and education programs throughout the region. The RAQC has partnered with the RidgeGate development for the Mow Down Pollution event to help raise awareness of air quality issues in Colorado and provide the residents of Colorado with cost effective earth-friendly lawn care options.

The RidgeGate development is a mixed-use sustainable community that will eventually span more than 3,500 acres in Lone Tree, Colorado. For more information on RidgeGate, please visit www.ridgegatecolorado.com.

Summer Ozone Season Begins June First

Denver (June 1, 2009) – Summer ozone season officially begins June 1 in Front Range region.

The Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC) and its partners are kicking off the fifth year of their Ozone Aware campaign to raise awareness of ozone pollution by asking Denver area residents to “chill” on hot summer days. The RAQC asks citizens to avoid ozone-causing behaviors in the heat of the day such as mowing the lawn, driving, or painting or staining projects.

The Denver region violated the federal ozone standard in 2007 and a new, stricter standard in 2008, making it even more important this summer for local residents, businesses and industry to do their part to help reduce ground-level ozone, meet federal air quality standards in 2009 and help reduce the health risks associated with ozone pollution.

At ground level, ozone pollution can be harmful to everyone, especially the young and the elderly. The highest ozone levels are usually recorded in summer months when temperatures approach the high 80s and 90s and when the wind is stagnant or light.

“The more stringent standards this year make it that much more important that we all do our part,” said Ken Lloyd, executive director of the Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC). “Awareness is critical during the summer ozone season, and so the RAQC has expanded the resources available this year to provide additional avenues for people to learn how to reduce their impact.”

An Ozone Action Alert day is announced by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) when weather conditions are forecast for unhealthy ground-level ozone concentrations.

Ground-level ozone pollution is formed when emissions from everyday items combine with other pollutants and “cook” in the heat and sunlight. Sources of such emissions include local industry, gasoline-powered vehicles and lawn equipment, and household paints, stains and solvents.

Ozone can trigger attacks and symptoms in people with pre-existing health conditions, such as asthma or other respiratory diseases. High levels of ozone pollution often affect healthy people who work or exercise outdoors and can cause breathing difficulties, eye irritation and reduced resistance to lung infections and colds with exposure for prolonged periods.

This year, the Ozone Aware program will utilize social media to engage residents, share tips and information about the program, answer questions about ground-level ozone and interact with the community in a brand new way. People can interact with the campaign via:

• Web site – OzoneAware.org
• Facebook – Become a fan of Regional Air Quality Council – Ozone Aware
• Twitter – @ozoneaware

For the fifth straight year, the RAQC and its partners are kicking off the “Ozone Aware” campaign to help increase awareness of ground-level ozone and asking residents to “chill” on hot summer days – that is, to avoid activities that can cause ground-level ozone pollution such as driving, mowing the lawn and painting or staining projects.

Ozone-causing emissions come from a wide range of sources. Actions Front Range residents can take to reduce ground-level ozone include:

• Drive less – walk when you can, group errands, take public transit and carpool whenever possible.
• Mow in the evening after 5 p.m.
• Refuel in the evening after 5 p.m.
• “Stop at the click” – do not overfill gas tanks when refueling.
• Keep vehicles regularly maintained.
• Tighten gas caps after refueling.
• Use new, earth-friendly lawn equipment.
• Avoid solvent-based products; use water-based paint, stain and sealants.
• Sign up for Ozone Action Alerts.

For additional information on ground-level ozone, please visit http://www.OzoneAware.org or the RAQC’s Web site at http://www.raqc.org or call 303-629-5450.

Mow Down Pollution with a Green Tech Solution

Denver (April 8, 2009) – Emissions from gas-powered lawn mowers contribute to ground-level ozone on hot Denver days, which can cause or worsen health problems for many residents. Earth-friendly lawn equipment can reduce the pollution, which is why the Regional Air Quality Council wants your mower to be as green as your lawn.

The Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC) has partnered with Neuton Lawn Mower Company to host three “Mow Down Pollution” lawn equipment exchanges across the Denver metro area – all on the same day, May 2.

Because the goal of the event is to improve air quality in Denver and surrounding cities, attendees are encouraged to bring their old lawn mowers to the event and exchange them for a discount toward one of Neuton’s cordless, battery-powered mowers, which will be available to test drive.

“Newer, greener technologies mean we don’t have to rely on older, gasoline-powered lawn mowers that produce far too much pollution,” said Ken Lloyd, executive director of the RAQC. “Emissions from lawn equipment contribute to poor air quality when they’re allowed to cook in the hot summer sun. By reducing those emissions, we ensure that our air quality stays at healthy levels this summer.”

At ground level, ozone pollution is harmful to all of us, especially the young and elderly. Ozone can also trigger attacks in individuals with pre-existing health conditions, such as asthma and other respiratory infections.

Mow Down Pollution will take place simultaneously in Denver, Commerce City and Longmont on May 2. Residents who attend will be able to:

• See low-emissions and electric lawn mowers and other equipment.
• Learn about chemical-free lawn products and composting.
• Discover low environmental impact lawn-care practices.
• Explore ways to save water, including xeriscaping.
• Find out how to get discounted earth-friendly products and services.

Attendees must reserve their electric, cordless mower in advance by calling 1-800-457-8651 starting April 14.

Event details:

Denver Event

Saturday, May 2, 2009 – 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Garland Park, 1001 South Kearney St., Denver – just off Cherry Creek Drive North

Commerce City Event

Saturday, May 2, 2009 – 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Civic Center, 7887 East 60th Ave., Commerce City – Next to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park

Boulder County Event

Saturday, May 2, 2009 – 12 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Boulder County Fairgrounds, 9595 Nelson Rd., Longmont – South parking lot

For more information on the Mow Down Pollution lawn mower exchange, please visit http://www.OzoneAware.org or contact Sarah Anderson (email address) at 303-629-5450, ext. XXX.

About Regional Air Quality Council

The Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC) is the lead air quality planning agency for the seven-county Denver-metropolitan area. In existence since 1989, the Council’s main purpose is to develop plans and programs to keep the region in compliance with federal air quality standards, with significant input from area citizens, businesses and local governments. The RAQC also oversees the development and implementation of air quality outreach and education programs throughout the region. The RAQC has partnered with the City of Greeley for the Mow Down Pollution event to help raise awareness of air quality issues in Colorado and provide the residents of Weld County with earth-friendly lawn care options.

About the Neuton Cordless Electric Mowers

Neuton® CE 5

Event Price $140 (normally retails for $399) 

Neuton® CE 6

Event price $240 (normally retails for $499)

New Vehicle Salvage Program Aims to Get Highest Polluters off Denver Roads

DENVER (July 3, 2008) – Ozone season is heating up and the Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC) has launched a new voluntary program to identify and salvage high-emitting vehicles in the Denver metro area. Under the program, eligible owners of high-emitting vehicles will receive $1,000 and $60 in RTD passes when they turn their vehicle over to the RAQC and its partners for salvaging.

The RAQC’s goal is to salvage 220 vehicles prior to December 31, 2009, removing high polluters of hydrocarbons (HC) from area roads and helping to reduce air pollution in the region. The program aims to achieve reductions in carbon monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and green house gases (GHG), in addition to reducing petroleum usage by replacing older vehicles with more fuel efficient vehicles.

“High-polluting vehicles pose a major challenge to efforts to reduce air pollution in the region," said Steve McCannon, RAQC program manager. “Ten percent of the vehicles on the road account for approximately 50 percent of the emissions. By taking part in this program, owners of high-emitting vehicles have a real incentive to help significantly reduce emissions. And by salvaging the vehicles, we get them off the road and ensure they never pollute again.”

For the 2008 ozone season, vehicles will be identified and recruited through the state’s high-emitter program and screened by Emissions Technical Center (ETC) staff. In addition, vehicles that are eligible for the Colorado Department of Revenue’s waiver program and cannot be fixed will be included in this effort. The RAQC will work with ETCs to notify vehicle owners they are eligible for the vehicle salvage program at the time of compliance testing failure.

Program vehicles will be purchased at a centralized collection point once per month. Eligible vehicles for the program must start readily through ordinary means without the use of starting fluids or external booster batteries and the vehicle must arrive at the ETC under its own power.  Vehicles must also meet two of the following minimum threshold criteria:

• The vehicle must fail an emissions test for hydrocarbons (HC);
• Be more than 10 years old;
• Have high-evaporative emissions;
• Emit visible smoke; or
• Be deemed irreparable or face repair costs that exceed the value of vehicle.

The RAQC’s partners in the vehicle salvage program include the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), the Colorado Department of Revenue (DOR), the Old Car Council of Colorado (OCCC), Envirotest Systems Products (ESP) and the Regional Transportation District (RTD). Additional incentives for participants are also being offered by the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association (CADA).

More information on the vehicle salvage program can be found at www.OzoneAware.org or by contacting the Regional Air Quality Council at (303) 629-5450.

About Regional Air Quality Council

The Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC) is the lead air quality planning agency for the seven-county Denver-metropolitan area. In existence since 1989, the Council’s main purpose is to develop plans and programs to keep the region in compliance with federal air quality standards, with significant input from area citizens, business, and local governments. The RAQC also oversees the development and implementation of air quality outreach and education programs throughout the region. The RAQC has partnered with the City of Greeley for the Mow Down Pollution event to help raise awareness of air quality issues in Colorado and provide the residents of Weld County with earth-friendly lawn care options.

Summer Ozone Season Begins June First

Denver (June 2, 2008) – Summer ozone season officially begins June 1 for the Front Range region.

In August 2007, Denver violated the EPA ozone guidelines, making it even more important this summer for local residents, businesses and industry to do their part to help reduce ground-level ozone to meet federal air quality standards in 2008 and reduce the health risks associated with ozone pollution.

At ground level, ozone pollution can be harmful to everyone, especially the young and the elderly. The highest ozone levels are usually recorded in summer months when temperatures approach the high 80s and 90s and when the wind is stagnant or light.

“Last year’s violation put a spotlight on Colorado’s summer air quality,” said Ken Lloyd, executive director of the Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC). “The summer ozone season is a critical time and, because ozone comes from so many various sources, everyone must do their part, especially on Ozone Action Alert days when conditions are ripe for the formation of ozone.”

An Ozone Action Alert day is called by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) when weather conditions can lead to unhealthy ground-level ozone concentrations in the metropolitan Denver and Front Range region.

Ground-level ozone pollution is formed when emissions from everyday items combine with other pollutants and “cook” in the heat and sunlight. Sources of such emissions include local industry, gasoline-powered vehicles and lawn equipment, and household paints, stains and solvents.

Ozone can trigger attacks and symptoms in people with pre-existing health conditions, such as asthma or other respiratory infections. High levels of ozone pollution often affect healthy people who work or exercise outdoors and can cause breathing difficulties, eye irritation and reduced resistance to lung infections and colds with exposure for prolonged periods.

For the third straight year, the Regional Air Quality Council and its partners are kicking off the “Summer Chill” campaign to help increase awareness of ground-level ozone and asking residents to “chill” on hot summer days – that is, to avoid activities that can cause ground-level ozone pollution such as driving, mowing the lawn and painting or staining projects.

At events throughout the summer and on the campaign’s Web site http://www.OzoneAware.org, residents can take a pledge to chill – a promise to drive less, mow the lawn after 5 p.m. and refuel vehicles in the evenings. These small steps are critical to keeping ground-level ozone in check on Ozone Action Alert days.

Ozone-causing emissions come from a wide range of sources. Actions Front Range residents can take to reduce ground-level ozone include:

• Drive less – walk when you can, group errands, take public transit and carpool whenever possible.
• Mow in the evening after 5 p.m.
• Refuel in the evening after 5 p.m.
• “Stop at the click” – do not overfill gas tanks when refueling.
• Keep vehicles regularly maintained.
• Tighten gas caps after refueling.
• Use new, earth-friendly lawn equipment.
• Avoid solvent-based products;.use water-based paint, stain and sealants.
• Sign up for Ozone Action Alerts.

For additional information on ground-level ozone, please visit http://www.OzoneAware.org or the RAQC’s Web site at http://www.raqc.org or call (303) 629-5450.

About Regional Air Quality Council

The Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC) is the lead air quality planning agency for the seven-county Denver metropolitan area. In existence since 1989, the Council’s main purpose is to develop plans and programs to keep the region in compliance with federal air quality standards, with significant input from area citizens, business, and local governments. The RAQC also oversees the development and implementation of air quality outreach and education programs throughout the region.