MLA Finds $1,000 Under Hood of Old Clunker - Climate Change Central launches annual program to replace older vehicles

This morning, Ron Liepert, MLA for Calgary-West, pulled a $1,000 General Motors Canada (GMC) voucher from under the hood of an end-of-life car to launch this year's Car Heaven program in Alberta. Representatives from the City of Calgary, General Motors Canada and Imperial Oil watched as the MLA found value in retiring an end-of-life vehicle to Car Heaven, where it will be safely recycled.

The year-round Car Heaven program, run in Alberta by Climate Change Central, in partnership with General Motors Canada, Imperial Oil and the One Tonne Challenge, is dedicated to accelerating the retirement of older, higher polluting vehicles and to promoting a shift to cleaner alternatives.

This year Car Heaven aims to retire up to 10,000 vehicles in Canada and 2,000 in Alberta. To date, more than 16,000 high-polluting vehicles have been retired nationwide, resulting in emission reductions of more than 208 tonnes of nitrogen oxides (NOx), 132 tonnes of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and 2,704 tonnes of carbon monoxide.

Climate Change Central has been managing Car Heaven in Alberta since 2003. In this province, approximately 825 vehicles have been taken off the roads, resulting in a reduction of over 4,455 tonnes of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and 12,237 tonnes of smog-forming pollutants. Donated vehicles are dismantled and recycled by a participating member of the Alberta Auto Recyclers and Dismantlers Association (AARDA). None of the vehicles donated to the program are allowed back out onto the streets.

"I am happy to help Climate Change Central and its partners launch the Car Heaven Program, which can potentially make dramatic changes to the quality of air we breathe," said Mr. Liepert. "This program not only educates Calgary residents about fuel efficiency and the environmental impact of vehicle emissions, but also makes it very easy for them to make a difference."

Participants in Car Heaven become eligible to win prizes, including a 2005 Chevrolet Aveo. This year, eligible donors can choose from added incentives including, $1,000 off the purchase of a new General Motors vehicle, a free transit pass for six months or up to $300 towards the purchase of a new bicycle. Donors are also awarded tax receipts from The Kidney Foundation - either for $50 or the bid value of the vehicle, whichever is greater -- and their vehicles are towed free of charge by Calgary's Pick ˜N' Pull.

"Climate Change Central hopes that Albertans will help us haul many high-emission vehicles off the road this year," said Allan Amey, President and CEO of Climate Change Central. "There are cleaner alternatives out there and we will continue to inform Canadians about how they can help clear our air."

"Through Car Heaven, we can get more new technology on the road faster, and that's good for GM and the environment. Car Heaven is one of many strategies that GM is involved with to reduce vehicle and Green House Gas emissions," said Doug Airey, Assistant Alberta Zone Manager for GMC. "Since 1970, GM has reduced smog-causing emissions from vehicles by 99.7 per cent, with the introduction of sophisticated emission control technology and has earned GM vehicles more EnerGuide fuel efficiency awards than any other manufacturer."

"Car Heaven is a great program and Imperial Oil is pleased to be supporting the initiative for the fifth consecutive year. We look forward to having the Car Heaven Angels visit our Esso retail service stations this summer to promote the program and to give motorists tips on how to ensure their cars are as fuel-efficient as possible," said Brita Harrison, Corporate Planning and Communications for Imperial Oil.

Today's new low emission vehicles generate at least 100 times less VOCs and 44 times less NOx than vehicles of similar size that were manufactured prior to 1988. In fact, one 1987 model year vehicle generates the same amount of smog-forming emissions as 22 vehicles from the 2001 model year.

Donor forms and contest details are available in Alberta at Climate Change Central and GM Dealerships and in A-Part Auto and GM Dealerships. Albertans interested in donating to Car Heaven can visit www.carheaven.ca or call 1-888-731-7311.

About Climate Change Central
Climate Change Central is a public-private partnership established as a catalyst for, and coordinator of, activities by individuals, businesses, institutions and governments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Alberta. www.climatechangecentral.com

About Clean Air Foundation
The Clean Air Foundation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to developing, implementing and managing public engagement programs and strategic initiatives that lead to a measurable improvement in air quality. The Foundation manages six public engagement programs - Car Heaven, Mow Down Pollution, Keep Cool, Energy Smarts, Switch Out and Cool Shops.

Helen Corbett
Communications Director
Climate Change Central
403) 517-2717
hcorbett@climatechangecentral.com

Kate Lloyd
Program Manager
The Clean Air Foundation
(416) 922-9038 x 23
klloyd@cleanairfoundation.org

Myra Reisler
Media Relations
Media Profile
1-888-504-8464
myra@mediaprofile.com