Two isoprene (2-methyl-1,3-butadiene) utilizing bacteria, Alcaligenes denitrificans ssp. xylosoxidans JE 75 and Rhodococcus erythropolis JE 77, were identified as highly efficient cooxidizers of TCE, cis- and trans-dichloroethene, 1,1-dichloroethene and vinyl-chloride. Isoprene grown cells eliminate chloride from TCE in stoichiometric amounts and tolerate high concentrations of TCE.