“Does this mean vehicle emissions testing is gone for good in Davidson County?
Not necessarily.
According to provisions in state law, if Davidson County becomes noncompliant with Environmental Protection Agency air quality standards, the EPA could mandate the county institute an emissions program again in the future.
But local health department officials say emissions testing controls just 2% of the county’s total emissions of pollutant Nitrogen Oxide.
“Our feeling is that if we do slide into non-attainment, it won’t be because we don’t have vehicle emissions testing,” Metro Health Department Policy Director Tom Sharp said. “We’ll have other things that we’ll need to address.”
“According to provisions in state law, if Davidson County becomes noncompliant with Environmental Protection Agency air quality standards, the EPA could mandate the county institute an emissions program again in the future.”
Yes. If air quality degrades to the point that they fall under I/M rules. As long as air quality remains good EPA has no authority to mandate testing.