INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM

							           INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
DATE:          January 6, 2010
TO:            Public Works Commission
FROM:          Beth Baird, Air Quality Program Coordinator
SUBJECT:       EPA proposed standards for ozone/vehicle emission testing program
               Information only


                                          ISSUE

Ozone
EPA has proposed stricter new standards for ozone. A presentation on how these
changes will affect the Treasure Valley’s air quality attainment status will be provided at
the 1/14/2010 Commission meeting. An update on changes to the vehicle emission
testing programs in the Treasure Valley will also be discussed.

Emission Testing
The Ada County Air Quality Board (AQB) has changed its vehicle emission inspection
rules effective January 2010 and a vehicle inspection program will be initiated in Canyon
County in June 2010.


                                    BACKGROUND

Ozone
To be provided at Public Works Commission Meeting.

Emission Testing
The AQB has been interested in updating the Ada County vehicle air emission testing
program for some time, but held off implementing any changes because of the
uncertainty related to instating an inspection program in Canyon County. In the fourth
quarter of 2009 the AQB decided to move ahead with their planned changes. A public
hearing on the proposed changes to their rules was held in November. In December, the
AQB voted to implement the following changes beginning January 1, 2010:
      Exemption of new vehicle from testing for the 1st four years
      Routine testing of vehicles every other year
      Exemption from testing vehicles older than 1982

Canyon County was unable to develop a vehicle emission reduction program that was
acceptable to the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (IDEQ). In the absence of
an acceptable program, State rules require IDEQ to implement a vehicle testing program
for Canyon County. Late in December, IDEQ sent out a Request for Proposals (RFP) for
the operation of an emission and inspection program for Canyon County and Kuna. The
decision on the award of the contract will be made early in February. Implementation of
the Canyon County and Kuna program will begin on June 1, 2010. Ada County and its
cities that already participate in the Joint Powers Agreement for the vehicle testing
program through the AQB will have the option to decide if they want to adopt the new
Canyon Co and Kuna program for themselves.

H:\msoffice\Word\PWC\2010\PWC vehicle emissions testing update 1-10.doc




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