Background
In 2005, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) received grant funds from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop and launch a statewide campaign designed to educate motorists, especially new drivers, about the benefits of improving air quality by reducing fuel consumption and ozone generation through tire pressure and engine maintenance. The campaign was fully launched with the help of stakeholders during the 2006 ozone season.  Clean Air Champions continues to be promoted to communities throughout Virginia today. 

Benefits of the Campaign
The benefits of the Clean Air Champions campaign include:

• an improved awareness of the benefits of tire pressure and engine maintenance on fuel consumption and improved air quality;
• opportunity for government, private industry and community organizations to more effectively use resources toward a shared goal; and
• the development of young drivers’ environmental responsibility and impact of actions on air pollution and health.

Meet the Clean Air Champions spokesman!
Ward Burton, the NASCAR 2002 Daytona 500 winner, is the official spokesperson for the Virginia Clean Air Champions program.  A native Virginian from South Boston, Ward is also an intense conservationist and environmental advocate.  In 1996, he established the Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation—a program dedicated to conserving America’s land and wildlife through wise stewardship while educating both children and adults about the natural resources that will shape America’s future.

Interested in becoming a stakeholder?
Some suggested ways of supporting the Clean Air Champions campaign include:

• Participating on the campaign Stakeholder Team.
• Providing promotional novelty items for campaign events and educational workshops.
• Hosting a local/regional event (i.e., car care workshop for women, tire pressure check event, car care clinic for new drivers).
• Sponsoring a campaign theater, radio and/or television public service announcement for your city or region.
• Sponsoring and providing promotional items to support the campaign (tire pressure gauges, vehicle static cling decals, other car care products).
• Sponsoring the production of campaign promotional materials for use at service stations, gasoline stations, repair centers and/or tire centers (i.e., flags, posters, in-store display).
• Sponsoring the production of campaign promotional materials for use at NASCAR events, trade conferences, and educational workshops for area schools.
• Assist with campaign promotion at NASCAR events, trade conferences, and educational workshops for area schools.
• Identify or provide volunteers for educational programs conducted at local high schools