Editor’s note: The first paragraph of this story has been updated to distinguish between the commute program and the report from the American Lung Association.
By David Pendered
A new incentive program intended to get cars off the road for a week is slated to begin in mid-May. This program comes on the heels of a national report by the American Lung Association that shows metro Atlanta ranks among the 25 most polluted cities; the ALA report also takes aim at some of the Trump administration’s environmental policies.
The premise behind the Clear the Deck Challenge is to provide an incentive to encourage commuters to use one of their options to driving to work alone in a vehicle. Once folks experience the alternative, some might continue to commute that way, if only periodically.
The incentive program is sponsored by Georgia Commute Options, a program managed by the Atlanta Regional Commission. It will open just after the start of smog season, which runs from May 1 through Sept. 30 in metro Atlanta.
From May 14 through May 18, property managers and employers are to encourage employers to use cleaner commute options, such as teleworking, carpooling, vanpooling, riding transit or even walking or riding a bicycle to work.
Even one day a week counts toward the program and the incentives.
“This inaugural Clear the Deck Challenge is a great opportunity for employers to encourage their employees to try a different commute option, rather than driving alone to work and parking their vehicle that will sit in one space all day long,” Malika Reed Wilkins, Georgia Commute Options’ managing director, said in a statement.
“By trying transit, starting a carpool or even teleworking during this week, commuters can skip their stressful commute and save money, boost work productivity and improve air quality,” she said.
The array of incentives includes:
“Gimme Five: New program participants can earn $5 a day — up to $150 — for trying a new commute option other than driving alone.
The 2018 State of the Air report takes specific aim at the Trump administration for taking steps the lung association says would weaken the Clean Air Act:
- “Our nation has made significant strides in cleaning up our air, as shown by this report over the past 19 years. Stopping or retreating cannot be an option. Our nation’s historic legal commitment to protect the health of millions of Americans requires more work to reduce the burden of air pollution. Cleaning up air pollution requires a strong and coordinated effort on the part of our federal and state leaders.
“Unfortunately, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, supported by the President, has taken many steps to roll back or create loopholes in many of the protections in place under the Clean Air Act in the past year. Members of Congress, governors and state leaders all have a key role to play, and while some are supportive, others are not.”
The report then outlines what it calls six threats to the nation’s air quality.
Metro Atlanta ranks 23rd in the nation when it comes to high levels of ozone. Often called ground level ozone, it is created when pollutants such as tail-pipe exhaust mix and create chemical reactions that result in breathing difficulties for at-risk individuals.
Metro Atlanta ranks 22nd in the nation for year-round particle pollution. Particle pollution is a mixture of solid and liquid particles that are no larger than a tenth of a strand of human hair. Exhaust from diesel trucks is a particle pollutant.
Note to readers: Information about joining the Clear the Deck Challenge is available at this website.
