HARRISBURG – The Senate approved legislation to reform Pennsylvania’s outdated vehicle emissions testing program, reducing the number of counties and vehicles covered by the requirement, said Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23).
“This common-sense reform will modernize Pennsylvania’s vehicle emissions program and provide significant cost savings for motorists in Lycoming County,” Yaw said. “I have heard from many of my constituents and I was pleased to support this legislation to make the emissions process more efficient and effective.”
The federal Vehicle Emissions Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) program mandates that motorists in 25 Pennsylvania counties undergo annual emissions testing. However, a Joint State Government Commission study has shown that removing seven of these counties from the program would have minimal impact on maintaining federal air quality standards.
Senate Bill 35 would remove Blair, Cambria, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lycoming, Mercer and Westmoreland counties from the I/M program.
Senate Bill 149 would exempt the five most recent model year vehicles from emissions testing requirements, aligning Pennsylvania with other states in the federally mandated Northeast Ozone Transport Region. Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Virginia have implemented similar exemptions with EPA approval.
The bills now move to the House of Representatives for consideration.
For more state-related news and information, constituents can visit Senator Yaw’s website at www.SenatorGeneYaw.com or follow him on Facebook and X @SenatorGeneYaw.
CONTACT:
Elizabeth Weitzel
717-787-3280