North

Triangle Air Awareness Program Recognizes Participants

RALEIGH -- Participants in the Triangle Air Awareness Program were recognized today for their efforts in reducing ozone smog and increasing public awareness about air pollution in 1998. The N.C. Division of Air Quality presented awards to 13 businesses, municipalities and government agencies that ran exemplary “Ozone Action Day” programs.

IBM Corporation was named the Best Overall Program in the Triangle. The company used a variety of means -- including its web site, electronic bulletin boards, newsletters, videos and public address system -- to inform its 19,000 Triangle-area employees about ozone forecasts and ways to reduce air pollution. Other award winners included:
  • Most Creative Program -- Triangle Transit Authority
  • 2nd Place, Creative Program -- N.C. Department of Correction
  • Best Outreach to Employees -- Glaxo Wellcome Inc.
  • 2nd Place, Outreach to Employees -- Square D Company
  • 3rd Place, Outreach to Employees -- N.C. Department of Agriculture
  • Best Outreach to the Public -- Town of Chapel Hill
  • Best Incentive Program -- Glaxo Wellcome Inc.
  • 2nd Place, Incentive Program -- Reichhold Inc.
  • Most Employee Participation -- City of Raleigh
  • Best Newsletter -- Cary Chamber of Commerce
  • Best Ozone Action Day Plan -- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, RTP
  • Best Role Model for Government -- Town of Garner.


    • The division also recognized two newspapers and four television stations for their efforts informing the public about air pollution. Media recognitions included WLFL-TV, WNCN-TV, WRAL-TV, WTVD-TV, The News & Observer of Raleigh, and The Herald-Sun of Durham.

    The Air Awareness Program is a voluntary effort aimed at reducing ozone levels in North Carolina. The program ran for its first full “ozone season” in the Charlotte and Triad metropolitan areas in 1997 and was expanded to the Triangle in 1998. The Division of Air Quality coordinated the Triangle program with the Triangle J Council of Governments and more than 90 coalition members, which included businesses, private organizations, municipalities and government agencies.

    The program helps curb smog levels through pollution forecasts, media alerts and notifications to participating businesses. Participants voluntarily agree to help reduce emissions of smog-forming pollutants on high ozone days. For instance, businesses encourage or offer incentives to their employees to car-pool, ride buses to work, eat lunch at their offices, or take other actions that reduce driving or energy consumption.

    Air quality officials hope the Air Awareness Program will help the state comply with the new ozone standard and protect public health and environment. In 1997, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency adopted a new ozone standard that is much more restrictive, and state air quality officials estimate that more than half of the state’s residents live in counties that exceed the standard.

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    Date Posted: 11/20/98


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