Why is the Emissions Inspection Program needed and why doesn it apply to all 100 counties?
According to the EPA, cars and trucks create about ½ of the ozone air pollution and nearly all of the carbon monoxide air pollution in US cities. Research also indicates that passenger cars and light trucks on our highways emit the majority of vehicle-related carbon monoxide and ozone-forming hydrocarbons. The Emissions Inspection Program is designed to improve our air quality, thus enhancing our health and quality of life, by reducing mobile source air pollution. Under the Clean Air Act, the most populated and polluted cities are required to adopt an emissions inspection program. The State of North Carolina Has a “decentralized” inspection network consisting of inspection and retest at privately owned facilities licensed by the state – i.e., gas stations, repair shops. North Carolina’s Implementation Plan designates several counties as “emissions” counties.
