Four-day "No Fees, No Fines" vehicle emissions clinic opens

A four-day "No Fees, No Fines" vehicle emissions clinic opened today in St. John�s at the Village Mall parking lot. Sponsored by Environment Canada, the provincial Department of Environment, the City of St. John�s, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Lung Association, the clinic is a free service for motorists and provides them with an opportunity to have the pollution control equipment on their vehicles inspected and tested.

"A key step in reducing vehicle exhaust emissions in Newfoundland and Labrador is through public education and awareness, and the �No Fees, No Fines� clinic is helping to do that," said Ralph Wiseman, Minister of Environment. "I encourage motorists to take advantage of this free service and to help improve air quality while also learning how to improve the fuel efficiency and the pollution control equipment on their vehicles."

The "No Fees, No Fines" vehicle emissions clinic is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and runs from July 25-28, 2001. At the clinic, a number of assessments and tests are performed on cars, including an assessment of the levels of pollutants in the tailpipe exhaust, a fuel cap pressure test, tire pressure assessments, and an under-hood inspection. Based on the results, the driver will be given a pass or fail report on the vehicle; however, absolutely no fines or penalties will be issued. Rather, for vehicles which fail the inspection, motorists will be given suggestions or recommendations for improvement.

"Although the problem of air quality is global, the solutions can only come from the combined efforts of each individual person, family and community," said Peggy Johnson, executive director, Newfoundland and Labrador Lung Association. "The Lung Association is committed to clean air and the vehicle emissions test is one very positive action to improve the air we breathe."

"No Fees, No Fines" vehicle emissions clinics have been held throughout Newfoundland and Labrador since 1989. Past locations include: Gander, Grand Falls-Windsor, Bonavista, Marystown, Bay Roberts, Carbonear, Clarenville, Corner Brook, Stephenville, Port aux Basques, Wabush, Labrador City, and Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

Media contact:

Diane Keough, Communications, Environment, (709) 729-2575
Sonya Smith, Newfoundland and Labrador Lung Association, (709) 726-4664.

2001 07 25                                                               11:05 a.m.