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Veto the VET Challenges EPA Computer Models for Air Pollution

Veto the VET, a grassroots organization formed to get rid of vehicle emission testing and to actually achieve clean air for Northern Kentucky, is once again asking our federal officials to get involved.  The EPA has become caught in its own over jealous regulations by environmentalists, the courts and the states.  It has been reversed after declaring Greater Cincinnati in compliance with air standards. It has been overturned by courts after issuing ethanol waivers. It has been caught using highly inflated benefits by its own computer models that it had to revise the amount of pollution being removed from our air. It has been caught using computer models that have little to no real world data and often use data that is in direct conflict with scientific evidence available.  Even the stringent state of California has offered proof that ethanol is harmful to the air quality; yet the EPA and Washington continue to mandate more states use ethanol.

  Larry Brown, a CO founder of VETO the VET recently discussed several air issues with Robert Brooks, an automobile industry expert. The following is an email correspondence from Mr. Brooks that he issued for release. 

"Based on many years of study and reporting on the I/M [inspection and maintenance] program called VET (vehicle emissions test) in the Cincinnati general area, it is evident motorists have been kept in the dark about three skeletons in the VET closet .....says Robert Brooks, Sr. Correspondent for the industry newsletter Ward's Engine Update and a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers.
1. The VET is fundamentally unfair and in  fact can be called dishonest because it holds motorists liable for many vehicle emissions problems caused by failure of components and fuel problems over which motorists have no control. Motorists can do nothing to prevent, for instance, failure of a vacuum switching valve in a certain emissions control system that costs the maker $1.50 but after the warranty expires can be a $217.00 repair for the part and labor. Another example is plugged fuel injectors that can be costly to clean or replace due to the absence of adequate deposit control additive in some supplies of gasoline.
2. The actual value of  VET  has not been measured by comparing the emissions of in-use vehicles in VET areas with those in areas without VET programs. Asked why this has not been done,  US EPA has told me "Because we do not  have the funding". This is like promoting a drug without testing it on a group of people to determine its worth  compared with a group that did  not take the drug. EPA has based its demands on State and motorist funding of VET programs entirely on computer estimates that have been found to be flawed by the National Academy of Sciences. Independent research has found the VET program to be "irrelevant."
3. The single best answer to the problem is vehicles rated PZEV (partial zero emissions) now sold in California and four New England States. PZEV vehicles must be warranted by the makers 15 years or 150,000 miles for all emissions related problems. Vehicle makers and gasoline marketers thereby become responsible for problems within their control....not beyond motorist control, except of course,  for abusive treatment and  maintenance neglect. We could accept the VET program if it were confined to motorist abuse and neglect factors but during my long contact with EPA, the Agency has steadfastly refused to discuss the fairness issue or measure VET actual worth."  

Veto the VET is still wondering how long both political parties will cover up, lie and take campaign contributions from these groups that profit at the consumer's expense.  Maybe in November, the voters can send a message to our officials who represent the people.        

www.vetothevet.com

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