NASHVILLE – A bill that attempts to end mandatory vehicle emissions testing in Hamilton and five other Tennessee counties is scheduled for a final floor vote this afternoon in the state Senate.
But while the bill is expected to pass, its stated goal of halting emissions testing on cars and trucks won’t happen overnight.
In fact, it could take three or more years to develop alternatives to the testing program, used to lower air pollution, and also take them to federal regulators and win approval there, according to a Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation official.
An employee types in information to complete an emissions test at the Emissions Testing Center on Riverfront Parkway.Final say-so will have to come from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which calls the shots on federal Clean Air Act requirements and the steps needed to cut air pollution levels and ensure continued compliance with air quality standards.
“The bill ends the inspection and maintenance [emissions testing] program in Tennessee if EPA approves,” said Kim Schofinski, a spokeswoman with TDEC, in an email response to Times Free Press inquiries.