Resolution seeks to end E-Check program

The Ohio House of Representatives passed a resolution urging U.S. Congress and President Trump to eliminate the Auto Emissions-Check (E-Check) requirement from the Federal Clean Air Act.

The resolution, sponsored by state Rep. Ron Young, R-Leroy Township, also asks the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to repeal and replace the 2015 National Ambient Air Quality Standards.

Currently, seven counties in Northeast Ohio are the only portion of the state that is part of the E-Check program. If the 2015 National Ambient Air Quality Standards go into effect, that number could increase to 34, Young said.

“Problems with the ECheck program have been an issue in my district since its inception in the late-’90s,” Young said. “Not only is the E-Check considered by many experts to be a very expensive and inefficient method of improving our environment, but it also disproportionately impacts families in need.”

The resolution points to a report by University of Denver senior research engineer Gary Bishop, who found emission testing “costs lots of money,” but “does almost nothing to clean up the air.”

“Bishop has pioneered many new methods of emission sensor testing and found that in Tulsa, Oklahoma, which has no emission testing program, emissions were no worse than in areas with strict emission testing regimes,” the resolution states.

Also referenced in the resolution is a Colorado audit, which concluded that public need for emissions testing is uncertain and recommended exempting vehicles from model year 2001 onward. The resolution states the implementation of this recommendation would result in “almost total elimination of E-Check because Ohio does not test vehicles more than 25 years old.” Only vehicles built between 1991 and 2000 would be subject to testing under E-Check.

Young added that recently, a number of poor and lower-middle class constituents reported the program has become a major obstacle to efforts to support their families.

“This is because older cars fail the test at a much higher rate than newer cars,” he said. “Often these cars are these citizens’ only means of transportation. Without transport, many necessities such as jobs, medical care, access to food, etc., are placed in jeopardy.”

Often, simple glitches such as a loose wire, faulty engine light, sensor problems or other technical issues” not related in any way to increases or reduction of pollution end up to be the problem,” Young said.

“However, when a financially challenged senior or poor citizen takes time off work for the E-Check, only to fail, then after a visit to the repair shop and an expensive automotive diagnostic to be run, then to be told the solution is unclear and could be even more expensive for a car that is running well, is very demoralizing, especially when major components of their basic needs and lifestyle are dependent on the car,” he said.

The resolution passed 72-25. Those voting in favor of the resolution included Rep. John Rogers, D-Mentor-on-the-Lake, and Rep. Sarah LaTourette, RChester Township. All 25 representatives who voted against the resolution were Democrats.

Kent Smith, D-Euclid, was among those who voted against the resolution.

“Ohioans from across the state continue to breathe unhealthy air, leading to increased risk of premature deaths, asthma attacks and other adverse impacts,” Smith said. “To protect public health, Ohio needs to maintain and build upon the gains made under the Clean Air Act and Clean Car Standards and pursue additional pollution cuts.”

Rep. Dan Ramos, D-Lorain, also opposed the resolution. Ramos said he doesn’t like the idea of people who are in wealthier areas who can afford to buy new cars breathing better air than people who live in poorer areas. He said he understands the “burden, the complication and the annoyance.”

“But I also understand that we have some of the highest infant mortality rates in the country,” he said. “I understand we have high asthma rates, I understand these particulates harm that… I don’t think the folks in the inner city of my district should breathe worse air than the people in the country because they aren’t driving in cars that are up to spec. I would suspect if this House cared about people getting to work, maybe my multiple amendments on public transportation might be reconsidered, but until that time, as someone from Northeastern Ohio, I don’t think this is necessary.”

The resolution is now being sent to the Ohio Congressional delegation, the U.S. EPA administrator, the Ohio EPA director and the Executive Office of the President of the United States.

Young