Ecology adopts changes to state’s vehicle emissions testing program

OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) has adopted a new updated motor vehicle emissions testing program rule. The changes take effect in July 2012.

Vehicles in Clark, King, Pierce, Snohomish, and Spokane counties undergo emission tests to reduce air pollution in the state’s most populated areas. You can check online to see if emissions testing areas include your zip code. (http://www.emissiontestwa.com/e/ZipCodes/Zip_codes07.pdf)

The new rule includes changes required by the Legislature. All 2009 and newer model year vehicles will not require testing and additional businesses may be authorized to conduct tests. The rule also eliminates some testing that is becoming less relevant.

New rule changes include:

Making the rule easier to understand.
Eliminating the gas cap test and dynamometer testing.
Using the same test standards for all 1995 model year and older gasoline vehicles.
Exempting light-duty diesel vehicles from testing.
Tightening the test standards for heavy-duty diesel vehicles.
Exempting heavy-duty diesel vehicles if their engines meet 2007 emission standards or they are equipped with an exhaust particle filter.

You can find the new rule and supporting documents on Ecology’s Air Quality website. (http://www.ecy.wa.gov/laws-rules/activity/wac173422A.html)

Ecology accepted public comments on the proposal in March. The agency held a public hearing on proposed changes on March 22 in Federal Way.

This action fits exemption criteria in Gov. Chris Gregoire’s Nov. 17, 2010, executive order, which suspended non-critical rule work until the end of 2011. Approving the changes will allow small businesses to perform emission tests on vehicles.

See more information about the rule suspension on Ecology’s website (http://www.ecy.wa.gov/laws-rules/rulemaking_suspension.html).

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Media contact: Seth Preston, Ecology communications manager, 360-407-6848; 360-584-5744 cell; seth.preston@ecy.wa.gov

Learn more about emissions testing (http://www.emissiontestwa.com/e/)

Ecology’s social media (http://www.ecy.wa.gov/about/newmedia.html)