By LARRY THOMAS, Evening News
newsroom@news-tribune.net
Three years ago state representatives Bill Cochran and the late Jim Bottorff worked to end vehicle emission testing in Clark and Floyd counties, effective at the end of this year.
On Wednesday, Gov. Mitch Daniels reiterated the end of the testing program and said the state would petition the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to recognize that Clark and Floyd counties have met air quality attainment standards.
“The ball and chain is coming off,” Daniels said during a press conference Wednesday at the Clear Air Car Check Station in Jeffersonville.
“We already meet the air quality standards by measurement,” Indiana Department of Environmental Management Commissioner Thomas W. Easterly said.
Three years ago, Cochran, D-New Albany, and Bottorff, D-Jeffersonville, introduced a bill in the Indiana House of Representatives that would have eliminated vehicle emission testing at the end of this year. The bill failed, but Bottorff added the language to water quality legislation during a conference committee.
That measure passed, only to be vetoed by late Gov. Frank O’Bannon. The following year, the General Assembly overrode O’Bannon’s veto, but added language that emissions testing in Clark and Floyd counties would only end if it did not jeopardize federal funding for the state.
On Wednesday, Cochran said O’Bannon’s veto was due to the water quality measure, not the abolition of the vehicle emissions testing.
“Jim (Bottorff) knew how much of a hassle this emissions testing was to people,” Cochran said. “I was never convinced it did much to clean up the air. Jim wasn’t either.”
“The whole thrust of the legislation for Jim was that this is a real burden on the people … of Clark and Floyd counties,” said Rep. Carlene Bottorff, D-Jeffersonville.
Carlene Bottorf is Jim Bottorff’s widow and is filling his unexpired eighth term. Jim Bottorff died in early December following a seven-month battle with cancer.
Under existing guidelines, residents of Clark and Floyd counties must have vehicles manufactured after 1975 tested every two years. When vehicles produced before 1981 fail a test, their owners must spend at least $75 on emissions-related repairs. Owners of vehicles produced between 1981 and 1995 must spend at least $200 on repairs following failed tests. Vehicles produced in 1996 and later must be brought within emissions compliance, regardless of the cost to their owners.
The tests check hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide levels, according to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s Web site. High hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions indicate a vehicle is not using fuel efficiently and is unnecessarily contributing to air pollution.
Computerized controls on newer vehicles, and cleaner-burning fuels, help them operate cleaner, Daniels and Easterly said.
People who live in Clark and Floyd counties and whose vehicles were manufactured in even years between 1976 and 2002 must still have their emissions tests performed this year.
Jack Ragland, president of the Southern Indiana Economic Development Council, said that if the state is successful in obtaining air quality attainment status for Clark and Floyd counties, economic development will flourish.
"It’s like an extra weight has been lifted from us," he said.
According to a written statement provided by Daniels’ office, local officials tracked seven economic development projects that were lost to Clark and Floyd counties that would have brought $230 million in investment and 2,000 jobs to the local economy. Those firms discarded discussions with local officials after learning Southern Indiana did not meet federal air quality standards.
“When they found out we were non-attainment, they marked us off the list,” Ragland said.
“Non-attainment means there are many more obstacles before a business can locate and hiring can start,” Daniels said.
Easterly said six Indiana counties were redesignated for attainment last year, and that Clark and Floyd are among eight counties to be considered this year.