Emissions Tests Will Halt, Then Change

Hartford Courant ^ | Apr 26 2002 | LISA CHEDEKEL

[2Trievers]

The state plans to dump its longtime auto-emissions contractor and turn over testing to a network of 300 garages across the state - a transition that will bring a halt to all testing for at least six months, starting July 1.

Department of Motor Vehicles officials announced Thursday that they would begin negotiating a five-year contract with Agbar Technologies Inc. of Chicago, which would coordinate a decentralized system of testing at local service stations and dealerships. The move would end the state's rocky relationship with Connecticut-based Envirotest Systems Corp., which has handled emissions testing since the program began 18 years ago.

[LoneGOPinCT]

And, under a change approved last year by the state legislature, the owners of about 250,000 new cars - model years 2000 through 2003 - will be exempted from testing for four years, starting July 1. People who buy new cars will pay a one-time, $40 fee for that exemption.

"It's all about saving the environment!"

Well, and filling the state's coffers, too.

[LoneGOPinCT]

CT Bump!

If any one would like to be removed from my CT Bump list, please let me know and it will be done ASAP. Conversely, if you would like to be added the same holds true.

[nightdriver]

These tests are fraudulent,anyway, If my vehicle fails, I wait a day, then go to a different lane. It may pass or fail again, but the results are ALWAYS different.

Emissions testing of cars is just another form of corporatism (fascism) that has gotten into America.

[2Trievers]

And if we save the environment ... we are saving the children ... yada yada ... (excuse me while I hurl!) &;-)

[Jim Scott]

And, under a change approved last year by the state legislature, the owners of about 250,000 new cars - model years 2000 through 2003 - will be exempted from testing for four years, starting July 1. People who buy new cars will pay a one-time, $40 fee for that exemption.

Don't you love it? You'll pay the state not to test your new car, which would pass anyway or be fixed under the federal law that makes the manufacturer liable for the car's ability to meet emissions standards!

Emissions testing has always been a crock.

I have a friend who owns a big auto repair facility and he's tested cars that came up fine, then failed at the inspection. He would just have the owner take the car to a different inspection station and it would pass almost every time, or he would make a slight adjustment in timing (or something as minor) and that would get it passed.

Emissions testing is just another tax and a hassle to put motorists through so the Democats can preen about how concerned they are for the environment and the children..oh, the children. Now, gimme the twenty bucks!

[2Trievers]

... and when I bring my car to my local garage ... and it fails ... how far will an extra twenty bucks on the side go? Hmmmmmmm? Now these garages are agents for the stinky state! What a lousy deal ... all the way around. How much will they make on each car? Patooie!!!!!!!!!!

[LisaFab]

Thanks for the ping.

Jim: BINGO!

[cgbg]

This thread needed a June update. Apparently as the July 1 date approached the old contractor stopped performing very well. Perhaps the contractor's employees quit without waiting to be fired but for whatever reason the lines started. Long lines. Very long lines. In the hot and humid weather. Tempers frayed. Traffic jams were created......

And finally the state threw up its hands and offered amnesty for folks requiring June emissions testa and closed the facilities!

The fact that the state government was unable to predict these events should give everyone pause. That proves--if there was ever any doubt--that the state bureaucrats are total idiots!

[2Trievers]

Thanks cgbg ... my test isn't due until 2004 ... think they'll have it figured out by then? &;-)

[cgbg]

Just a funny story on this. Like you I was unaffected by these events because of the timing of my due dates. So, I was totally unaware of the issue.

Then, one day last week I hear on the radio "There is a big traffic jam on (some Fairfield County highway) because of emissions problems." That was the whole story. I couldn't figure out what emissions problems had to do with traffic jams. Then I saw the front page of The Hartford Courant with the long lines and an attached story and it started to make sense.

The governor and the legislature owe all those people who had to wait in line in the heat a big time apology. (When you or I screw up it usually affects only us or a few others--when these guys blunder it can affect thousands.)

[2Trievers]

I pulled into emissions on the final day allowed, 15 mins before closing time. All the employees were standing outside. They told me there was a "gas leak" and the station was closed. I was sent away ... subsequently forgot to go back and ended up with a double fine as a consequence. I have protested it ... still waiting for word. The constipation state sucks! &;-)