California Legislators have approved a bill that will require post-1975 model year vehicles to continue in the Smog Check program indefinitely. The previous bill automatically exempted vehicles 30 years and older from its stringent testing program because it was believed that they were a poor source from which to look for emissions reductions.
If Assembly Bill 2683 (AB) is signed by the governor, who was still considering the measure at press time, all 1976 and newer model-year vehicles will be subjected to a tailpipe test, functional inspection of the fuel cap and a visual inspection for fuel leaks for the duration of the vehicle’s lifetime, including those insured as collector cars (driven only to parades and exhibitions). Those that oppose the bill say that the amendments will create problems for car collectors and hobbyists since regulators could set emissions standards to any level that suit their purpose in order to ensure inspection failures.
Supporters argue that motor vehicles are the biggest contributor to air pollution in California, and the Smog Check program is the primary way for the state to keep passenger vehicle emissions in check. A statement from the California Environmental Dialogue says that the current rolling exemption law automatically took more than 44,000 vehicles out of the Smog Check program for the 1975 model year and that each of these vehicles emit as much pollution as approximately 20 new vehicles. Supporters of this bill include representatives from the American Lung Association of California, the Western States Petroleum Association, Sierra Club California, Toyota Motor Sales, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, the California Air Pollution Control Officers Association and the California League of Conservation Voters. Co-sponsors are the Planning and Conservation League, California Council on Environment and Economic Balance and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.
The Planning and Conservation League Web site says AB 2683 would save roughly 5.7 tons per day of emissions by 2010, and more than 12 tons per day of emissions by 2015. But SEMA Vice President of Government Affairs Steve McDonald says that the bill’s supporters are making severely inaccurate mileage consumption projections by suggesting that these vehicles are being driven 5,000, 10,000 and even 15,000 miles or more each year. “They are relying on a computer model to project their numbers, but they aren’t using accurate figures.” In a letter SEMA sent to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, it says that an analysis of Smog Check data shows that the dirtiest 10 percent of model year 1995 vehicles emitted pollutants at a higher level than did 50 percent of all 1974 vehicles tested. “Clearly, there are many more 1995 vehicles on the road and they are being driven many more miles each year,” McDonald points out.
McDonald suggests that the emissions attributable to 30-year and older vehicles is negligible and is nowhere near the emissions suggested by the bill’s supporters. “These older cars are overwhelmingly well maintained and infrequently driven, and are poor candidates for reducing pollution. However, they are convenient scapegoats for legislators, regulators and stationary source polluters who are using false data and inflated annual mileage assumptions to make it sound like they are cleaning the air.” SEMA has taken a number of steps to repeal the bill at the governor’s level. McDonald explains that the issue has a number of implications and could be detrimental to the hobbyist community—there is a limited availability of parts due to California’s state scrappage program that are essential for Smog Check compliance. Many hobbyists would be forced to give up their passion if they can’t find parts, which in turn could affect a number of small businesses, charities and local and state sales tax revenues.
To date, California’s Smog Check has achieved an overall tailpipe emissions reduction of 17 percent in hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide from vehicles repaired after failing.
If you would like to support or repeal this bill, you should contact Gov. Schwarzenegger with your opinion at www.govmail.ca.gov.
