Once again, for the eleventh straight year, Tennessee auto license renewal requires that our cars must pass the vendor-operated Hamilton County emissions test. An insert with the license renewal form states specifically, "The air in Hamilton County does not meet the required federal air quality standards for ground-level ozone."
So, what is the federal standard? And what is the local problem--how far out of compliance with that artificial, bureaucrat-defined standard are we?
When I searched online for such information last year, various sources stated that Chattanooga was then within compliance with federal standards--but somehow we still had vehicle emissions testing.
Today I haven't been able to find the sort of information I found last year, and I suppose the federal standards may be even tighter than they were a year ago; for whatever reason, we still have to go through vehicle emissions testing. I notice the test fee is now $9 rather than the original $10; does that mean we're getting closer to the 'standard,' and the whole setup is about to die a well-deserved death? Don't hold your breath. There's too much easy money involved.
The Weatherbug website shows no date, but says for Chattanooga, "We're sorry. There is currently no air quality measurement or forecast taken by the EPA for your location." Well, if the EPA isn't keeping up with it, who is?
The Air Quality by City website also shows no date, but says the Chattanooga ozone level is 0.077 parts per million, "which fails to meet the national standard of 0.075 ppm." Somehow I suspect that our grievous excess, 2/75 of the allowable amount of ozone, is within the margin of error of the instruments making the measurements that condemn us.
The EPA website is really informative: "Because air emissions travel across state boundaries, reducing the emissions from sources in Tennessee also will reduce fine particle pollution and ground-level ozone pollution in other areas of the country. ... Currently, Tennessee sources also significantly contribute to ground-level ozone pollution in: Georgia."
What it does not say is, "Georgia sources also significantly contribute to ground-level ozone pollution in Tennessee." The wind still blows in all directions, doesn't it?
Once again we need to be reminded of the original conditions and terms of agreement between local officials and the D.C. crowd that put this annual burden on Hamilton County citizens, while all around us everyone else gets a free pass. But truth, logic and fairness have never had anything to do with this whole farce, and I guess most of us would rather quietly spend the $10 (now $9) rather than try to find truth and logic where there is none.
Larry Cloud
Chattanooga
* * *
I agree this is a scam and a cash cow. If a check engine light is on for any reason, you automatically fail.
I had a vehicle nine years ago that would have cost over $2,000 to fix so it would pass emissions testing. I traded it in on a new vehicle and still went farther into debt.
If there are no EPA standards for Chattanooga, how can Hamilton County justify this?
Dale Souders
East Brainerd
* * *
If the point of vehicle emission testing is truly to reduce emissions, then why would a “check engine light” be an automatic fail. Should the true test not be at the tailpipe where the emissions are released as they do with vehicles prior to 1996.
I find it very strange that a 1985 dually gas burner that smokes like a cigar bar can pass the tailpipe wand test with check engine lights and warnings flashing like a disco ball, yet a 2008 Honda Accord will fail due to a light that says something may be wrong and needs a $800 plus electrical component that may or may be related to emissions.
Should common sense not prevail and at least test the 1996 and newer vehicles with the wand to get an accurate reading if they fail the diagnostic check just as a backup? Why are we trusting a “maybe” over an actual reading?
I currently have one employee that is forced to ride his bike to work rain or shine and one that is forced to chase down buses daily as both their vehicles sit idle waiting to have the funds to fix the vehicle. Why, because the testing center informed them they were not road worthy in Hamilton County. Amazingly, both vehicles are 2000 and newer models and had zero issues when it came to them having reliable transportation to and from work. Hopefully their tires will not be dry rotted by the time they are able to get this “Gremlin light” off.
If there is one bright spot, the mechanics in Hamilton County are doing quite well I hear.
Chris Morgan
* * *
I too have been a victim of this system on many occasions and in one instance, just had to finally sell a vehicle at a loss to someone I worked with in North Georgia, because they don't have to meet the requirement, even though they work in the same city and location as me. The vehicle is driven into Chattanooga and Hamilton County almost daily.
I am all for cleaner air and have no problem with them checking the catalytic converter, tailpipe emissions and gas cap, but the check engine light deal is just ridiculous. It is even more ridiculous when you are at the testing station at East Gate, being failed for a check engine light, while you watch all the smoke belching traffic from out of state passing by on the interstate.
John Fricke
* * *
I really feel sorry for the struggling, hard working people that can’t afford to fix their cars because the “check engine light is on.” Indeed a scam.
In my case I have a 98 Dodge work van that is essentially a city and state tax producer. However, the “check engine light is on” and for my to pass the $9 emission test it will cost me a minimum of $3,500 because the # 8 cylinder is not working as it should and a used engine replacement is what I have been advised by a highly recommended auto shop is the only way to get rid of my “check engine light.” No way I’m going to spend this kind of money. I suppose I can pay a lot of tickets and never end up spending $3,500.
Just food for thought, do city and county government tagged automobiles such as police cars, administrative cars and trucks every get tested? In all my years I’ve yet to see one go through emissions/
Michael Mansfield