JOHNSTOWN – Sen. Wayne Langerholc, Jr. (R-35) today announced his intent to introduce legislation that will repeal Pennsylvania’s outdated and burdensome vehicle emissions testing program.
Since taking office, Langerholc has led the fight to reform this flawed mandate. Earlier this year, the Senate passed Senate Bill 35, which removes Blair, Cambria, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lycoming, Mercer and Westmoreland counties from the emissions testing program, and Senate Bill 149, which exempts the five most recent model year vehicles from testing requirements.
The Trump Administration is now moving to repeal federal vehicle emissions standards and to reverse the determination that new motor vehicles and engines pose a threat to public health and welfare. Langerholc’s legislation would align Pennsylvania with these federal actions, eliminating a costly and unnecessary requirement on motorists.
“This commonsense legislation is about putting working Pennsylvanians first,” said Langerholc. “Emissions testing is an outdated government mandate that serves no legitimate purpose other than cost hardworking Pennsylvanians that live in certain counties additional dollars during inspection time. It is high time to end this program. I won’t stop fighting until we get this done.”
The federal Vehicle Emissions Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) program currently mandates annual emissions testing in 25 Pennsylvania counties. Senate Bill 35 and Senate Bill 149 await consideration in the House Transportation Committee.
CONTACT: Gwenn Dando