PA Moves Closer To Waiving Emissions Test For Newer Model Cars

HARRISBURG, PA — Annual emissions tests in Pennsylvania would be waived for the five newest
model year vehicles under legislation approved this week by the state Senate.

State Sen. Wayne Langerholc Jr. of Bedford County, who heads the Senate Transportation Committee, introduced the bill that would exempt newer vehicles from what he called "the outdated emissions test."

The Senate adopted the measure Tuesday in a 29-20 vote. For the bill to become law, the House also would have to approve it and Gov. Tom Wolf would have to sign off on it. Wolf's administration is opposed to the proposed change

Currently, 25 of the state's 67 counties are required to participate in the approximately $40 emissions test to comply with the 1990 federal Clean Air Act Amendment.

"A vehicle emissions test has become less effective at reducing air pollution, particularly due to newer, more fuel-efficient vehicles entering the fleet," Langerholc wrote in a memo to colleagues before the vote.

"If Pennsylvania is successful in meeting or exceeding federal air quality standards, then our constituents should be rewarded for purchasing environmentally-friendly vehicles."

Pennsylvania is a member of the federally-mandated Northeast Ozone Transport Region, which
sets air quality requirements for a dozen states and the District of Columbia. Langerholc noted that five of the 12 states received approval to exempt newer vehicles from the emissions test:

• Delaware: 5 years
• New Jersey: 5 years
• Connecticut: 4 years
• Virginia: 4 years
• Rhode Island: 2 years

"If other states can exempt newer vehicles, then I believe Pennsylvania can as well," Langerholc wrote in the memo.

Currently, gas-powered passenger cars, vans and light-duty trucks are subject to the emissions test. Electric vehicles and diesel-powered vehicles are federally exempt, and other vehicles such as motorcycles are also exempt in Pennsylvania.

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