BAR 'Terminates' Cars at State Fair
Help California Breathe Easier cleans up the air nightly, one polluter at a time

For Immediate Release

SACRAMENTO - Since the California State Fair started, the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) has crushed cars as part of its Help California Breathe Easier campaign, and will continue doing so nightly at 6 p.m. until closing day. The campaign seeks to educate people about the negative impact of driving high-polluting vehicles on air quality, and to promote the retirement or repair of those vehicles.

Several local personalities and state officials have joined BAR at the State Fair to increase awareness of air pollution and the Breathe Easier campaign. After having crushed a high-polluting vehicle on live television, Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia said, "We need clean air now. Thankfully, Breathe Easier is crushing air pollution one car at a time. She concluded, "Because of this program, motorists who have failed Smog check can clean up the air while helping themselves."

BAR's Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) is designed to help motorists retire or repair their polluting vehicle. Motorists who want to voluntarily retire their vehicles can receive $1,000 to turn it in and have it crushed, so that it is permanently taken off the road. Or, for consumers who qualify, the state will pay up to $500 toward smog-related repairs. During the fair, thousands of visitors have walked away with information about the program, how-to instructions, and a CAP application.

"This program empowers Californians to clean up the air by turning in or fixing their polluting vehicles," said Consumer Affairs Director Charlene Zettel. "We are committed to reducing air pollution in the state because our children's health and future depend on cleaner air."

Help California Breathe Easier is a public awareness campaign launched by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger earlier this year to help reduce air pollution in California. In July of this year, the governor increased the funds available to this program to increase participation and reduce air pollution.

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