Mike CarterNASHVILLE – Tennessee environmental officials hope to argue to the federal government that the state can safely end mandatory vehicle emissions inspection requirements in Hamilton and four mid-state counties, saying a monthslong study shows doing so won’t significantly increase current ozone levels in the air.
In an update to the 2018 inspection-repeal law passed by Rep. Mike Carter, R-Ooltewah, and Sen. Bo Watson, R-Hixson, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation says the agency’s draft technical modeling shows ending the required Inspection and Maintenance, or I/M, program only “results in a small increase in ozone in both Hamilton County and Middle Tennessee.
“The increase is not projected [to] put either location above the [National Ambient Air Quality Standards],” TDEC stated.
As a result, the agency said, the state’s Division of Air Pollution Control “will recommend elimination of the I/M program with no offsets or substitute measures required to maintain air quality.” That recommendation will go to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a process expected to take a year.
“That’s an enormous victory,” Carter said Friday as he and Watson both hailed the news.