
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, July 13, 1995                   TAG: 9507130053
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Short

ALLEN ASKS WORKERS TO CARPOOL

Gov. George Allen asked state employees Wednesday to carpool or take public\ transportation to work the rest of the week because of forecasts for high ozone levels in the Richmond area.

Allen also asked large industries to encourage employees to hitch rides with co-workers or take the bus to work because of high levels of smog from automobile fumes expected to linger in the air.

``Given the large number of state employees commuting to and from work each day, voluntary action such as carpooling or using public transportation for the remainder of the work week will assist in improving air quality and will help Virginia avoid further onerous and costly regulations by federal agencies,'' Allen said.

Allen's press secretary, Ken Stroupe, said at least some employees of the governor's office planned to comply with the request. Stroupe said he and an assistant plan to ride to work together the rest of the week.

The Department of Environmental Quality predicted ozone levels would reach the ``moderate to unhealthy'' range Thursday, said spokesman Bill Hayden.

- Associated Press

by CNB