BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Money is available to residents of the eight-county air basin to retire their older, polluting cars.

Through the Polluting Automobile Scrap and Salvage (PASS), program, owners of older, polluting cars may receive either $1,000 or $5,000 toward the purchase of a newer, cleaner car.

$2 million is available through the program and applications will be taken until funds run out.

“This program is a valuable option for people to turn in an older car and receive cash or a credit toward a cleaner car. Either way, they’ll be helping to cut emissions in the Valley and clean up our air,” said Samir Sheikh, the District’s director of emission reduction incentive programs.

Vehicle emissions account for more than half the air pollution in the Valley.

To be considered for the program, cars must:

Have been continuously registered in the air basin for 24 months (the air basin is San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare and the Valley air basin portion of Kern counties.)

Be in drivable condition.

Have passed the most recent smog check.

Participating cars will be scrapped for $1,000 or some vehicles may be eligible for a $5,000 credit toward the purchase of a newer, cleaner car. Replacement vehicles may be purchased at any local participating dealer.

Eligibility for replacement is determined by vehicle history, age and emissions.

Pick Your Part is the District’s authorized administrator of the PASS program. To find out if a car is eligible for the program, call 1-877-900 JUNK (5865). Information is also available at www.valleyair.org/PASS