Thousands of Californians are embracing a new state program that gives residents $1,000 to junk cars and trucks that fail to meet emission standards. The program, launched July 7, aims to take 50,000 polluting clunkers off the roads over the next four years. Residents can alternatively get up to $500 to make repairs that will help their vehicles pass smog checks. The state is spending $2.7 million on radio and TV ads this summer to advertise the program, and the publicity drive is working. Between 550 and 1,000 Californians have been calling the government each day for program information and applications.
