Informed Opinions on Today’s Topics : Reforms for Smog Check Plan Debated

To comply with federal clean air standards, California has until Nov. 15 to overhaul its 9-year-old automobile Smog Check program or risk cuts in federal highway funding and stricter air pollution requirements for new factories. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires a centralized testing program, with separate test and repair facilities and a maximum cost of $450 to bring cars into emission compliance. A bill introduced by Sen. Robert Presley (D-Riverside) would create a system of centralized testing in the state’s most polluted areas, while allowing most repairs to be performed in state-certified shops. Sen. Newton Russell (R-Glendale) has introduced another bill which calls for enhanced inspection and maintenance under the current program with an emphasis on remote emissions testing to better enforce state vehicle emission standards.

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Should auto repair shops be allowed to continue performing smog checks?

Dennis Zane, executive director of Coalition for Clean Air, a Venice-based environmental group:

“Seventy percent of Southern California’s automotive air pollution comes from 20% of cars, so-called ‘gross emitters.’ California’s Smog Check program should not contain loopholes which allow these gross emitters to escape detection and repair. Some station operators, anxious to please their customers, find ways to pass cars which actually should fail. There is little to assure that operators do their work properly. If Smog Check is to prove effective, then emission testing should not be conducted at the same stations which provide the repair services.”

Michael Fitts, project attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council, a national environmental group:

“The current smog-check system fails to identify the 12 to 20% of the vehicle fleet responsible for over 50% of vehicle emissions. Separation of test and repair responsibilities is one component of effective reform to reduce fraud at testing sites. But that will not make a big difference until the test methods are improved and incentives are in place to fix cars.”

Newton R. Russell, state senator:

“Yes. The continued participation of independent garages in California’s Smog Check program makes good economic and environmental sense. These small businesses provide convenient service at competitive prices leading to a high degree of motorist compliance in reducing emissions. Last year, Los Angeles enjoyed the cleanest air quality in 40 years. However, we need to continue fighting smog and that is why I have introduced legislation to build upon the successes of our program with an eye toward even greater emissions reduction in the future. Only under my bill, SB 1195, will California continue to meet and exceed federal requirements without jeopardizing California’s small businesses, jobs or consumer compliance.”

Richard Katz, state assemblyman:

“Small business owners performing smog checks would be hurt by the EPA plan because of the high costs in purchasing new test systems. According to one estimate, the number of smog-check stations in Greater Los Angeles would plunge from about 4,000 to 100 or fewer. Rather than accepting a plan that would sharply cut the number of smog inspection facilities, we should be taking stronger measures to crack down on fraud--we need to monitor smog-check stations more closely and prosecute those which mislead and cheat consumers. We can’t afford not to clean up our air. But we can’t let the EPA tell us to adopt a plan that would place unnecessary burdens on our drivers and businesses.”