NASHVILLE – Tennessee senators on Thursday overwhelmingly approved a bill exempting newer vehicles from auto emissions testing, despite one lawmaker’s concerns about the impact on pollution standards given the Volkswagen scandal.
Senators voted 29-3 for the measure with three Democrats voting no. The bill exempts vehicles less than three years old from the testing requirements. Changes, however, would have to be approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
During debate, one Republican senator derided “so-called global warming” and attacked the EPA as a “rogue” agency.
Another GOP lawmaker defended sulfur spewing from vehicles, contending it benefits plants.
Sen. Jeff Yarbro, D-Nashville, however, raised the question of VW.