Mr. De Cota's statement seems especially self-serving in light of the following
statement,
a direct quote from the Executive Summary of the IMRC (Inspection Maintenance
Review
Committee) "Smog Check II Evaluation" report:
"Pre-1974 model year vehicles that are currently exempt from the Enhanced
Program account
for 4% to 8% of on-road tailpipe emissions, depending on the pollutant.
Non-tailpipe
(evaporative) HC emissions were not measured for this study, but are also likely
significant."
The report, in several sections, BIG pdf files) is available online at
http://www.smogcheck.ca.gov/smogweb/IMRC/default.asp?RefPage=IMRC/Pubs/IMRC20000619TOC.htm
On the other hand, there is currently a bill in committee with the CA State
Legislature,
SB825, which aims to close a loophole in Quentin Kopp's SB47 (which exempted
1973 model
year and earlier vehicles from biennial and Change-of-Ownership smog check
requirements)
by extending that exemption to cover the on-the-road checks. Write your local
representative in support of SB825!
As undesirable as it may be, the reinstatement of smog checks for this class of
vehicles
can not be classified in any way, shape or form as an attempt to confiscate our
cars. As
for the buyback offer, while it may be insulting to the owner of a
well-maintained
classic, or even not-so-classic, but older, car to get a note from the DMV
offering to buy
it for $500, it is a paranoid leap of faith to characterize this as even a
"semi-confiscation technique". It is not wild-eyed rhetoric, but well-reasoned
presentation of the salient facts to your state legislators that will preserve
our
vehicles' immunity from the pain-in-the-ass biennial smog checks.
Gary McCormick
San Jose, CA
STAN CHERNOFF wrote:
> WARNING!
>
> The headline today in my local California "Fishwrap" newspaper said: "SMOG
> CHECK PROGRAM FACES OVERHAUL".
>
> The first paragraph said that the California Inspection and Maintenance
> Review Committee will will recommend reinstatement of testing on the
> 800,000 cars in the state built between 1966 and 1973. They refer to these
> cars as "Smog-belching clunkers".
>
> Mr. Dennis DeCota, a member of the committee, is quoted as saying "The most
> asinine thing bureaucrats did was to give up our right to test those older
> vehicles". Please keep in mind that Mr. DeCota is the executive director of
> the California Service Station and Automotive Repair Association. Could
> there be a conflict of interest for financial reward???
>
> We need to get the word out and contact our state legislators to gird
> against the proposed attempt to confiscate our cars. They are also
> proposing hidden remote sensors on the street that would measure emissions
> and photograph license plates so that big brother could summon the owner to
> a state approved test station. They are also considering a plan to "Make
> Offers" to buy polluters, another semi-confiscation technique.
>
> If state Senator Quentin Kopp is still in office, please contact him
> because he championed S.B. 42 that got us the needed relief. We need an
> organized effort to thwart this confiscation effort.
>
> Please do what you can to spread the word to people involved with old and
> collectible cars. If we wait too long before acting then we may be too late!
>
> Stan Chernoff
> Torrance, CA
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