ASA urges Pa. members to oppose emissions bill

HARRISBURG, Pa. (Nov. 3, 2015) — The Automotive Service Association (ASA) is urging its Pennsylvania members to write to their state representatives in opposition to Pennsylvania House Bill 1614, which the ASA believes will weaken the state's vehicle emissions inspection program.

HB 1614, which is currently before the Pennsylvania House Committee on Transportation, would exempt electric, hybrid electric or compressed natural gas vehicles from emissions inspections.

What the ASA said it finds unacceptable, however, is a 10-year exemption from emissions inspections for vehicles never before registered in Pennsylvania. That provision, if enacted, would become effective 60 days after its approval.

“The annual inspection (of vehicle emissions systems) often drives vehicle maintenance by creating an awareness of air quality issues,” the ASA said in a press release. “The bill also ignores the environmental science behind the inspections by failing to consider the effects of poor air quality on at-risk groups such as children and the elderly.”

To view the full text of the bill and send a letter in opposition, go to the ASA's TakingTheHill website, access the “Alerts” section of the webpage, and scroll down to the notice titled, “Pennsylvania House Bill Weakens Vehicle Emissions Inspections and Maintenance Program.”