Governor Recognizes Neaton Auto Products Manufacturing for Outstanding Pollution Prevention Efforts

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(Columbus, 10/27/99) Governor Bob Taft today presented an award for Outstanding Achievement in Pollution Prevention to The Regional Ozone Coalition, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments of Cincinnati.

"The Regional Ozone Coalition has demonstrated how pollution prevention provides a common sense approach to protecting Ohio's environment by saving companies money and protecting Ohio's natural resources for future generations," said Governor Taft. "I commend them for their achievements."

The Regional Ozone Coalition, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments, is recognized for:

• implementing a gas cap replacement program. Through this program, motorists had the opportunity to voluntarily have their vehicle's gas cap tested and replaced, if necessary, for free;

• targeting motorists who owned vehicles with 1971-1973 model years with a direct mailing, since those vehicles are not required to undergo Ohio's vehicle emissions testing program;

• distributing approximately 23,000 gas caps to vehicle owners in the Cincinnati metropolitan area in 1998;

• eliminating an estimated 3.5 tons of hydrocarbon emissions daily, and almost 1,300 tons annually; and

• helping to demonstrate, in conjunction with the region's regulatory requirements and voluntary efforts, that the Cincinnati area attained the ozone standard and is maintaining a healthy level of air quality.

The Governor's Awards have been coordinated by Ohio EPA for 13 years to demonstrate how pollution prevention can be good for both the environment and business.

Criteria for selection of the Governor's Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Pollution Prevention include: the overall effort to reduce waste at the source, or recycle or recover materials; the program's innovation, cost effectiveness, and environmental benefits; ability of the program to serve as a model for others; and effectiveness in promoting prevention as the preferred long-term approach. In addition, the efforts should be voluntary and in advance of regulatory requirements, and the nominee should have a good environmental compliance record.