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Clean Air Business Exposition "Crushes" Bad Air in First Ever Event
Event Features Car Crusher Demolishing Gross Polluting Vehicles
(Fresno, Calif.-April 28, 2005) –Today, Valley CAN (Clean Air Now) and the Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the inaugural Clean Air Business Exposition. The event showed the vital role businesses and business leaders can play to help improve Valley air quality while demonstrating how a business’s "bottom line" and its efforts to improve air quality can be positively connected and contribute to a Clean Air Economy. Also on hand, a local car crusher demolished Valley vehicles voluntarily turned over to the California Bureau of Automotive Repair’s (BAR) Breathe Easier campaign, which has been designed to remove gross polluting vehicles from California roadways.
"Better air means a better business environment and a better life for everyone in the Valley," said Octavia Diener, President, Valley CAN. "This landmark event focused on the role we business leaders and businesses can play in creating an economy that thrives on pollution reduction strategies."
Air quality affects everyone who breathes it. The Clean Air Business Exposition showcased businesses, including Amtrak, Engine Control Systems, ChevronTexaco, Generation Homes and the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, actively involved in improving air quality. The Expo provided a networking opportunity for businesses to learn more about innovative, cost-effective approaches to cleaning the air while also contributing to their bottom line, and informed business leaders of pending air quality regulations.
"I applaud today’s Valley business leaders and businesses who have joined together at this first-ever event to take positive steps towards reducing air pollution in their region," said Fred Aguiar, Secretary of State and Consumer Services Agency. "It is these voluntary approaches that will improve air quality and serve as examples of what each of us can do to reduce air pollution in our State."
Currently, the San Joaquin Valley’s air quality ranks among the worst in the nation, impacting public health, quality of life and our economic growth. Without progress made, strict economic sanctions are on the horizon for business throughout California. However, voluntary, proactive steps toward improving air quality by both individuals and businesses can help achieve overall emissions reductions over time.
"Throughout the Valley’s history, its business leaders have been its greatest pioneers and stewards," said Steve Newvine, CEO of the Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce. "We’re not finger pointing, and we’re not blaming. We’re taking a proactive step to benefit the communities in which we do business and where we live."
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