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Veto the VET

By Larry Brown

   On behalf of Veto the V.E.T., I am submitting the following information to support the ending of vehicle emission testing Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties in Kentucky. It is our assertion that the regulations, arbitrary air quality standards, and implementation of testing have been poor public policy resulting in the wasting of millions of consumer dollars.  The auto manufacturer is producing an efficient, durable emission system that is in fact cleaning the air.  Furthermore, it is apparent few consumers have the ability, knowledge or desire to alter their emission systems. Since the 1990 Clean Air Act, every category of air quality is improving, and most experts believe it is a trend to continue for the next two decades without testing or additional EPA regulations.

   The current testing system affects over 93,000 vehicle owners per year. The new regulations affect less than 250 businesses. Many of the new regulations are not only improving air quality; they will increase profits for the businesses involved. The Low Volume High Pressure paint sprayers use substantially less paint and can be purchased for less than $250 each.  The use of degreasers has not been objected to in any meaningful manner by the businesses involved in two public hearings.  The implementation of the proposed regulations meets and exceeds the reductions required by the EPA, Kentucky’s SIP and will continue to do so in future years.

    The driving public does have an incentive to keep their cars well maintained because of raising fuel cost as well as air quality. The history of testing has shown most consumers do take care of their vehicles in an environmentally friendly manner.  The real problem and the one that testing does not address is the gross emitting polluter.  The current Testing Regulations neither remove the vehicle from the roadways nor require it to be repaired to the point of passing.  A very large percent of these gross polluting vehicles are operated by low-income families in need of basic transportation or senior citizens on a fixed income and long time owners of the vehicle.

    I am submitting numerous studies, research summaries or references to studies that conclude vehicle emission testing should be a thing of the past.  Future emission reductions will come about from technology, older cars leaving the roadways and alternative hybrid vehicles and the introduction of technological advancements for diesel vehicles, coal fired electric plants and other combustion engines, such as those used on aircraft.

   To summarize various studies and scientific facts: 

·                    98% of tested vehicles built after 1993 pass the current tailpipe test

·                    two EPA studies indicate that cars perform almost equally in tested and non tested areas

·                    technology advancement is the driving force behind the next 20 years of improving vehicle air quality

·                    the EPA’s use of computer modeling has overstated pollution reduction results from testing

·                    the EPA method of writing a State Implementation Plan (SIP) based on emission credits creates emphasis on the process and not on cleaning the air

·                    smog forming ozone is abundant in nature as documented in the 1991 National Academy of Sciences Report on the Southeast that stated vegetation produced more such chemicals than cars or factories, and that the introduction of Reformulated Gas (RFG) is causing additional Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) and Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) releases into our air increasing the chances for ozone formation. 

·                    Vehicle Testing, Inspection Maintenance and On Board Diagnosis testing are irrelevant for future reductions of auto emissions and should be ended.  

Larry Brown P O Box 1552 Florence Ky 41042 Co Founder VETO the VET.

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