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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Oct. 4, 1999
99-198
Contact: Larry Altose, public information officer, 425-649-7192
John Raymond, air quality planner, 360-407-6856
OLYMPIA - Fewer vehicles in Washington will have to have their emissions checked after Jan. 1, under changes being implemented by the Washington Department of Ecology.
Recent amendments to state law exempt all vehicles up to age five and older than age 25 from mandatory emission checks. The rationale is that newer vehicles rarely violate emission standards. By contrast, emissions from older automobiles often cannot be brought up to standards cost-effectively.
"This change shifts the focus to repairs on ‘middle-aged' cars and trucks, where we get the most air-quality benefit," said Mary Burg, who manages Ecology's air-quality program. "However, exempting new and old vehicles cuts into the thin margin by which we now meet clean-air standards."
In the year 2000, only 1976 through 1996 model-year cars and trucks will have to be tested in the urban areas of Clark, King, Pierce, Snohomish and Spokane counties (parts of Clark County already have the exemption under a pilot program). Emission checks are required every other year. Even model-year vehicles are tested in even years; odd model-year vehicles get their tests in odd years. The program applies to gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles.
While the new exemptions will reduce the number of vehicles being tested, many of the fixed costs of the privately-run testing facilities remain. Under a new contract extension between Ecology and Envirotest Systems, Inc., which owns and operates Emission Check stations in Seattle, Spokane and Clark County, some operating costs will be trimmed by reducing the number of hours the emission-check stations are open each week - from 52 hours a week down to 40.
The new operating hours will be Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In addition, Ecology is proposing to increase the current $12 inspection fee to $15 on Dec. 31, 1999. The fee hike would enable Envirotest to reduce employee turnover by paying better wages.
"Good customer service starts with employees who are well trained and experienced," said Burg. "In this tight labor market, Envirotest needs to offer better wages to keep good employees."
By state law, the emission-check program must be funded solely through the inspection fee. Even at the higher rate, Washington state will still have the lowest emission-check fee in the nation.
Ecology has scheduled public hearings in the five counties that have the emission-check programs. The hearings all begin at 7 p.m. with a presentation on the proposed fee and program changes, followed by a public-comment period. The schedule is:
Comments on the proposed fee increase will be accepted through Nov. 12 and may be sent to John Raymond at the Department of Ecology:
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
