Press Release

ST. LOUIS REGIONAL CLEAN AIR PARTNERSHIP BROADENS ITS REACH BY ADDING NEW PARTNERS TO THE MIX

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New Employers and Venues Helping to Spread the Clean Air Message

ST. LOUIS, MO ­ June 14, 2004... As part of its initiatives for the 2004 Air Quality Season, the St. Louis Regional Clean Air Partnership has aggressively been pursuing area venues and employers to help strengthen the group's efforts to encourage more St. Louis area residents to do their part to help clean the air. UMB Bank Pavilion, St. Louis City Library System, St. Louis County Library System, the St. Louis Zoo and Sigma-Aldrich have all agreed to assist the partnership in its goal of increasing awareness of regional clean air issues and encouraging participation in activities to reduce emissions.

UMB Bank Pavilion, almost 20 branches of the St. Louis City Library system, and all 20 branches in the St. Louis County Library System are now working with the Partnership to distribute informative brochures to visitors at their facilities, which will help to ensure the clean air message reaches thousands of additional people over the summer months. The popular concert venue also is posting tips for people to consider throughout the 2004 Air Quality season so they can adopt behaviors that will reduce the amount of harmful emissions in the air.

"We're particularly pleased to have UMB Bank Pavilion on board this season," noted Susannah Fuchs, regional programs director for the American Lung Association, and the lead coordinator of the Clean Air Partnership's ongoing efforts. "Most people who attend concerts at their facility share the ride to and from the event. By reaching them at this venue and sharing information that emphasizes how carpooling or taking transit can reduce the number of cars on our roads and improve our air quality, we hope they'll consider ridesharing to work, too."

In addition to distributing The Partnership's brochures, The St. Louis City Library System has expanded its role with the Partnership by designating a Clean Air Coordinator (CAC) at each branch. The CACs will post the daily air quality forecast so that visitors and employees alike are kept informed of changing air quality conditions throughout the season.

The CACs also work with employees of the library to make sure they have access to resources such as Citizens for Modern and RideFinders that can assist them in choosing an alternative commute, and the American Lung Association, which offers tips on how they can alter lifestyle habits as a way to help clear the air.

The St. Louis Zoo and Sigma Aldrich are also joining the St. Louis Regional Clean Air Partnership's efforts to spread the clean air message by designating Clean Air Coordinators (CAC) at their worksite. Patrick Williamson, the Clean Air Coordinator for the St. Louis Zoo, is making sure that his fellow employees know the daily air quality forecast and will post information throughout the facility about how individuals can make voluntary lifestyle changes to help clean the air. Williamson also plans on hosting a rideshare fair with RideFinders so his employees can become aware of carpooling and vanpooling options that help, instead of hurt, the quality of the air in St. Louis. Cheryl Stipsits is the designated Clean Air Coordinator for Sigma-Aldrich. She is charged with informing fellow co-workers of the daily air quality forecast and, like Williamson, she will be working with others in her organization to encourage ozone reduction activities.

In addition to promoting activities that individual employees can adopt, many CACs also work with their facilities staff to implement additional emissions reducing programs. These can include refueling fleet vehicles after dusk to limit daytime pollution releases, avoiding mowing and other landscape work using gas powered equipment when the air quality is forecast to be poor, keeping automobiles tuned-up and well maintained, and more. A complete list of tips and other helpful information is available online at www.cleanair-stlouis.com.

"Having companies and venues like these newest partners helps to illustrate how different organizations of all sizes and types can be part of the effort to make it possible for us all to breathe easier," added Fuchs. "It also means we can reach a diverse group of area residents. From the employees at a participating company to the concert goers who may take the message back to their work place and get a program started there. Even a child borrowing a book from the Library can now pick up a brochure so they can learn to appreciate the air, as well as the classics."

The St. Louis Regional Clean Air Partnership was formed in 1995 and has grown to include over 500 partners who are doing their part to help clean the air. If you would like more information concerning the St. Louis Regional Clean Air Partnership, or how your business or organization can become a member, contact Susannah Fuchs at (314) 645-5505.

Back to press releases.

for more information, contact:

Julie Hauser
The Hauser Group, Inc.
(314) 436-9090

-or-

Susannah Fuchs
American Lung Association
(314) 645-5505

Back to press releases