I really hope this happens
http://www.postgazette.com/pg/05299/595013.stm
GOP bill eliminates auto emissions inspections
Republicans say checks are no longer needed
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
By Tom Barnes, Post-Gazette Harrisburg Bureau
HARRISBURG – House Republican leaders are pushing for major changes in the state’s vehicle inspection program, totally eliminating emissions testing and reducing required safety inspections from once a year to once every two years.
“The new cars … are so clean that it negates the necessity of that [emissions inspection] practice,” said Rep. Rick Geist, R-Altoona, chairman of the House Transportation Committee, who’s leading the effort. "The onboard diagnostics of the cars are so good, you don’t really need to go get the car tested.
“Since the year 2000, we’ve virtually had very, very clean air. As we get more and more new cars, there’s less and less air pollution.”
Some of the debate on the issue in Mr. Geist’s committtee yesterday was angry, with Rep. Ken Ruffing, D-West Mifflin, at one point leaving the room in a huff after Mr. Geist refused to hold a public hearing on the emissions and inspection changes. Other Democrats complained they were being forced to act without an adequate chance to study such major changes in policy.
Scrapping the emissions tests and cutting down safety inspections were on a list of House Republican legislative priorities for the fall session released yesterday by Speaker John Perzel of Philadelphia and Majority Leader Sam Smith of Punxsutawney.
Mr. Geist said getting rid of emissions inspections would save motorists $40 or more a year.
The committee chairman tried, but failed, to get both bills approved by his committee yesterday. The every-other-year safety inspection bill was narrowly defeated on a 14-14 vote. The emissions inspections bill didn’t come up for a vote despite a debate of two hours.
Mr. Geist said he wasn’t giving up on either bill.
Pennsylvania’s first emissions and vehicle maintenance programs were implemented in 1984, and then upgraded in 1997 for Allegheny, Washington, Beaver and Westmoreland counties as well as five counties in the Philadelphia area.
Gov. Ed Rendell’s administration reached an agreement in federal court in May 2003 that further committed the state to expanding emissions inspections as required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to improve air quality. Many counties in Central Pennsylvania also now require the annual tests.
Mr. Geist said he objected to a federal court order in Philadelphia in 2003 setting policy in Pennsylvania for car inspections. He said the Legislature should set inspections and emissions policy, not a federal court.
“Do elected officials make the decisions or do courts make the decisions?” Mr. Geist said.
Democrats complained yesterday the two bills were printed only Monday night and said more time was needed for study. But Rep. John Maher, R-Upper St. Clair, said inspection issues have been discussed in the committee for years and members should be ready to act.
Rep. Keith McCall, D-Carbon, the top Democrat on the committee, said reducing safety inspections to every other year. He said that putting off necessary repairs to vehicles could mean sharply higher repair bills once defects are finally found. Republicans said New Jersey doesn’t require annual safety inspections.
Jeff Schmidt, a Sierra Club official, objected to eliminating the inspections, saying it “would weaken public health protections in Pennsylvania. It means more air pollution.”
State Transportation Department spokesman Rich Kirkpatrick said ending the emissions program could cost the state $1 billion in federal highway aid, which could delay road construction and highway safety projects.
“We worked long and hard to develop a reasonable program,” he said.
Mr. Kirkpatrick said 19 other states now have safety inspections, either annually or every two years. Four others require annual emissions inspections, while another four require them every two years. Many other states require the testing in just certain counties, according to PennDOT.
After yesterday’s committee meeting, Mr. Geist vowed to continue pressing for votes on the bills this fall. House leaders have listed both bills, tentatively, for action next week.
“Both issues are still alive,” Mr. Geist said.
