November 21, 2001
A public hearing of the Air Pollution Control Board of Jefferson County was called to order November 21, 2001, at 9:01 a.m. in the Board Room of the Air Pollution Control District, 850 Barret Avenue, Louisville, Kentucky, by the Chairman, Joseph Vibbert.
General Statement, Rules, and Purpose
The Chairman read the opening announcement, rules, and purpose of the hearing, which is to review Amendments to Regulations 8.01 and 8.02.
Amendments to Regulation 8.01 Mobile Source Emissions Control Requirements, Version #13, Draft #3 - Proposed, October 2, 2001, and Regulation 8.02 Vehicle Emissions Testing Procedure, Version #5, Draft #3 - Proposed, October 2, 2001
Mr. Trout said that the main purpose of the proposed amendments to the current versions of these regulations is to delay the startup date for on-board diagnostics (OBD) testing, which is January 1, 2001, in the current regulation, until January 1, 2002, and to include the specific procedures for OBD testing. Areas with mandatory inspection and maintenance programs, such as Jefferson County’s Vehicle Emissions Testing (VET) program, are required by the federal Clean Air Act and U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations to include OBD testing. This new test will apply to model year 1996 and newer light-duty vehicles and light-duty trucks (model year 1997 and newer light-duty diesel vehicles and light-duty diesel trucks) that are manufactured with certified OBD systems. The OBD test would replace the current tailpipe emissions test, evaporative system test, and equipment visual inspection for these newer vehicles.
A fuel cap check for model year 1983 and older vehicles is being added, although the absence of a functioning gas cap for these vehicles would cause rejection from a testing center but not a test failure. The minimum repair cost expenditure amount for waivers for vehicles that are required to pass the OBD test would be increased, consistent with EPA guidance.
Mr. Trout said that the only comment received during the Public Comment Period was from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency indicating that it had no comment on the proposed changes.
Mr. Trout said that the District would be making a comment during the Public Hearing regarding the proposed January 1, 2002, start date for OBD testing. He said that the District intends to recommend that the Board approve the amendments to Regulation 8.01 and 8.02 as proposed except for a change in the OBD test start date.
Statements
Mr. Trout said that the Air Pollution Control District of Jefferson County (District) had previously believed that the VET Contractor would be ready to start on-board diagnostics (OBD) testing at the five VET testing centers by January 1, 2002. However, due to several reasons, one of which is the long lead time in obtaining the necessary equipment, OBD testing will not begin as originally scheduled. Therefore, the District suggests that a new paragraph 2.9 be added to Regulation 8.02 that would authorize the District to delay the start date of OBD testing by up to six months and extend the end of the one-year phase-in period by up to one year after the actual start date of OBD testing.
2.9 If, as determined by the Administrator, the Contractor has not obtained the necessary OBD test equipment, completed the necessary related computer system programming changes, provided adequate certified inspector training, or completed any other similar necessary action so that OBD testing can reasonably and efficiently begin on January 1, 2002, at each testing center, then the Administrator may delay the start date of OBD testing to no later than July 1, 2002. If the Administrator delays the start date for OBD testing, all references in Regulation 8 to the January 1, 2002, commencement of OBD testing or replacement of other tests shall reflect the later date established by the Administrator and the first-year phase-in period may be extended up to 1 full year after this later OBD testing start date.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 9:10 a.m.
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Joseph D. Vibbert
Chairman
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Jonathan L. Trout
Secretary-Treasurer