Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet
EPA approves termination of vehicle emissions testing program in northern Kentucky

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 28, 2005) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved Kentucky’s request to end vehicle emissions testing in three northern Kentucky counties, Governor Ernie Fletcher announced today.

The action will become final 30 days after EPA’s decision is published in the Federal Register.

"Anticipated emissions in the area associated with the plan submitted by our administration will continue to support the improvements in air quality that have taken place over the last several years," Governor Fletcher said. "Improved air quality in these counties will aid in economic development opportunities in this fast-growing area of the state."

The federally mandated vehicle testing program, known as VET, began in 1999. Since that time, approximately 600,000 tests on 200,000 vehicles have been administered in Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties. The program was operated by a contractor, Envirotest Inc.

Vehicle testing was part of Kentucky’s formal plan for reducing emissions of air pollutants that contribute to ozone formation. EPA required Kentucky to adopt other measures to reduce emissions to compensate for ending the program.

Kentucky adopted regulations to require auto body repair shops to switch to high-efficiency paint sprayers and to require the use of solvents with low vapor pressure for cleaning grease from industrial metal parts.

Both of these requirements reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds, which contribute to the formation of ozone.

The General Assembly, through passage of Senate Joint Resolution 3 in 2004, mandated the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet to end VET and submit a revised air-quality State Implementation Plan to EPA.