HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 92-11 CITY OF THE COLONY, TEXAS
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF THE
COLONY, TEXAS APPROVING A POLICY POSITION ON VEHICLE
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE PROGRAM
WHEREAS, the Dallas-Fort Worth ozone non-attainment area consists of Collin,
Denton, Dallas and Tarrant Counties; and
WHEREAS, Collin and Dentonb Counties must implement at least a "basic" auto
inspection and maintenance program by 1994 to meet Clean Air Act requirements; and
WHEREAS, the existing "basic" inspection and maintenance program in Dallas and
Tarrant Counties has a high rate of non-participation from car owners and needs better
enforcement to be effective; and
WHEREAS, the North Central Texas Council of Governments supports cooperative,
cost-effective approaches to air quality programs; and
WHEREAS, other options proposed by the Texas Air Control Board have merit but
do not include a commitment to enhance the current program for greater effectiveness; and
WHEREAS, the Dallas-Fort Worth ozone non-attainment area is not required at
this time to implement the other more stringent options recommended by the Texas Air
Control Board.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HERE RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF THE COLONY, TEXAS:
SECTION 1. That the North Central Texas Council of Governments adopts the
Consensus Position (See Attachment 1) developed by the Air Quality Advisory Committee.
SECTION 2. That the Executive Director and staff of the North Central Texas
Council of Governments is authorized to actively pursue the Action Plan (See Attachment
2) to enhance the inspection and maintenance program in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
SECTION 3. That this resolution shall be in effect immediately upon its adoption.
PASSED AND APPROVED this ~:~day~, 1992.
W~ham W. Manmng~, Mayor\_
ATYEST:
Patti A. Hicks, CMC/AAE, City Secretary
Attachment 1
North Central Texas Council of Governments
Air Quality Advisory Committee
CONSENSUS POSITION
AUTO INSPECTION & MAINTENANCE PROGRAM
DALLAS/FORT WORTH METROPLEX
June 10, 1992
o This region supports a cooperative, cost-effective approach to reach air quality goals.
o The selection of an I/M program should be undertaken in conjunction with other control strategies, as
part of a comprehensive State Implementaion Plan development process. Cost effectiveness of I/M
program should be developed.
o Under the Clean Air Act, moderate non-attainment areas, such as the 4-county Dallas-Fort Worth area,
are not required to implement centralized "high-tech" programs at this time.
o Test operators now using the 2-speed test "Bar 90" technology in Dallas and Tarrant Counties need an
opportunity to recoup their investment over the next 3-4 years.
o Decentralized programs can significantly improve emissions reductions if enforcement compliance
reaches 90 percent.
o Current timetable is proposed by TACB, based upon TACB & Department of Public Safety preference
for centralized system in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
o TACB should consider funding and developing a more effective enforcement program to support the
current decentralized network, instead of switching now in favor of new technology. Nearly $20 million
a year is returned to the general fund from test fees in our area, only a small portion of which is now
allocated in return to enforcement of the test program.
o TACB should await published guidance from EPA and evaluate the effectiveness of other centralized
· high-tech" systems before recommending such programs in Dallas/Fort Worth. In addition, MOBILE 5.0
software is forthcoming, with effectiveness to be quantified with its use.
o Existing options reduce the incentives for a nine-county integrated program.
o The effectiveness of the "high-tech' test has not been demonstrated (i.e. would more vehicles fail this
particular test?)
o Some options would require up to four trips: safety check, initial emissions inspection, repair if needed,
and completed inspection. This would result in great inconvenience to car owners.
o The TACB options propose confusing systems based on model years and various locations. A
confusing system would hurt the credibility of the program.
o There is no clear guidance from State at this time whether the Dallas-Fort Worth area needs to focus on
NOx testing and control strategy. This issue may be clarified in the next 12-18 months.
o There is no demonstrated effectiveness for the pressure test. If the test is indeed necessary, options
other than testing as part of a centralized emissions test could be considered, for example, by asking
car manufacturers and dealers to conduct the pressure test.
o National data from EPA indicate that 10 percent of vehicles produce nearly 50 percent of mobile source
emissions. A cost effective program should target these gross polluters.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Texas Legislature should provide sufficient resources & powers to the Texas Air Control Board to fund
aggressive enforcement of the decentralized program through the Department of Public Safety and local
air pollution control programs.
2. The Dallas/Fort Worth region should pursue the option of Collin and Denton Counties implementing a
decentralized inspection and maintenance program.
3. The perimeter counties of the Dallas-Forth metropolitan region (i.e., Parker, Rockwall, Johnson, Ellis,
Kaufman) should be asked to consider opting for some form of a basic I/M program.
4. TACB should consider implementation of a decentralized computer system, with real-time enforcement
capability, to reduce/remove the discrepancy with centralized networks. If the TACB needs additional
funding to implement the computer system, then the TACB should seek funding from the Legislature.
Attachment 2
North Central Texas Council of Governments
5-POINT ACTION PLAN
TO CARRY OUT REGIONAL NEEDS FOR
AUTO INSPECTION & MAINTENANCE PROGRAM
June 10, 1992
1. Request Priority Attention to Enforcement of Auto I/M program. The current decentralized basic IiM
program could meet EPA effectiveness requirements if the participation rate from target cars could be
raised from 65%. Current enforcement resources are not adequate to provide the necessary compliance
level. Emssions test fees collected by the State are not fully allocated to the Inspection & Maintenance
program needs. NCTCOG should contact the Governor's Office, State Legislators and the Texas Air
Control Board and request adequate resources and powers be made available to the Department of
Public Safety and local air pollution control programs to provide necessary enforCement.
2. Solicit State Commitment to a Decentralized Inspection & Maintenance Program in the D/FW area.
Our region believes that centralized programs are premature at this time. On the other hand, we seek
a commitment to improve/enhance the existing decentralized program. NCTCOG should solicit support
from the State regarding this position.
3. Enhancements to a Decentralized Inspection & Maintenance Program. Request the Texas Air Control
Board to examine improvements in the existing Inspection program by, for example, moving up the
implementation dates of Denton and Collin County inspections, adding other vehicle systems to the
testing procedure and reviewing the existing method of the current gas analyzer test.
4. Explore Full Range of I/M Options through SIP Process. The Dallas/Fort Worth is on a fast-track
schedule to develop, under TACB guidance, our share of the State Implementation Plan over the next
12-18 months. In this effort, NCTCOG should fully explore the various options available to our region,
and evaluate cost-effectiveness.
S. Inspection Testing for New Cars. Federal law currently prohibits emission testing on new cars
although some evidence exists that not all of the emission control systems on vehicles are fully
operational when purchased. Pursue with federal authorities the cost and effectiveness of changes in
this position.
Attachment 3