UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460 OFFICIAL BUSINESS PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE $300 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER POSTAGE AND FEES PAID U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY EPA-335 A Environmental News Ryan (202) 755-0344 O'Neill (202) 755-0344 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE THURSDAY, JULY 10, 1975 STATES AWARDED $100,000 TO TRAIN MECHANICS IN AUTO EMISSION MAINTENANCE Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Russell E. Train announced today that EPA in cooperation with the Office of Education, Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, will award a total of $100,000 to five States in matching grants to train experienced auto mechanics in the proper main- tenance and repair of emission control devices. The grants will help New York, Pennsylvania, California, Oregon and Arizona meet the inspection/maintenance require- ments of EPA's transportation control programs, in areas where such plans are in effect. "The proper maintenance of auto emission control equip- ment is essential to the success of EPA's transportation control programs," said Train. "We must therefore do all we can to help States provide their mechanics with the needed training." The purpose of inspection/maintenance programs is to reduce emissions from automobiles now on-the-road. The (more) Return this sheet if you do NOT wish to receive this material ~, or if change of address is needed ~ (indicate change, including zip code). EPA FORI* 1510-1 (REV. 6-72) R-151 ------- -2- programs require an inspection phase to identify poorly maintained vehicles, and a maintenance phase—involving such steps as proper tuning—for vehicles failing inspec- tion. Proper auto maintenance not only helps improve air quality/ but also improves gas mileage and vehicle per- formance . The grants announced today will be used primarily for j-nstruction in the maintenance function. The money for this training program is provided as a special supplement to funds already available under vocational education legislation, administered by the Office of Education. The five States were chosen to share in this special grant on the basis of their readiness to implement inspection/maintenance programs. The funds will be allocated among the five States in proportion to the number of registered automobiles in each. Allocations within the States will be handled by the appro- priate EPA Regional Administrator, working closely with State Air Quality Control and Education Training Agencies. Each State may multiply its Federal grant up to a 4 to 1 ratio, with the State share decided in cooperation with EPA. To assist the States in implementing this training pro- gram, EPA worked with Dr. Roy Gillespie of Colorado State University in developing a 40-hour instructor training pack- age in emission control maintenance. Within the next several weeks, the course will be presented to instructors in all five States. These instructors will transmit their knowledge to local mechanics as part of the State-run training in support of inspection/maintenance programs. US EPA . c 340an 1301^rS4iion^eNW Washington Du 20004 # # # "vf' 202-565-GSoo ^[11311811! (.'nlte/^Q R-151 ------- |