1 Vehicle Emissions Testing Program Legislative Audit Bureau May 2002

2 Overview u The federal Clean Air Act defines the program u The program seeks to reduce ozone pollution u In 2001 –784,000 tests performed –12 testing stations –7 southeastern Wisconsin counties

3 Program Structure u FY costs of $11.2 million u DNR administrative costs of $68,000 GPR u DOT administers contract with a testing firm –DOT’s administrative costs of $565,300 are from the Transportation Fund –Contract payments were $10.5 million ($7.7 million from the Transportation Fund and $2.8 million in federal funds) in FY

4 Air Quality Measurements u Air quality in southeastern Wisconsin has improved u There have been fewer violations of federal air quality standards

5 Air Quality Improvement

6 Wisconsin’s Testing Program u Federal model allows some discretion u Wisconsin’s program is generally more stringent –more model years tested –more stringent testing technique u Wisconsin is less stringent on some parameters –biennial rather than annual testing

7 Failure Rates Have Increased u New vehicles rarely fail the test u Testing for nitrogen oxide, begun in May 2001, has increased failure rates –Rates increased from less than 10% in early 2001 to more than 18% in November 2001 u Vehicle repair costs have increased –Costs ranged from $117 to $144 in January through April, then ranged from $142 to $180 during remainder of the year

8 The Testing Contract u DOT manages the contract with Envirotest Systems Corporation u Envirotest owns and operates the vehicle emissions testing stations u Current contract period is from November 1995 through November 2002 u Annual payment was $10.6 million in CY 2001

9 Contract Management Concerns u Testing volumes have been 14 to 18 percent lower than anticipated u Waiting time standards were often exceeded u A testing lane at one station was frequently closed u Public information requirements were not fully met u Customer complaint procedure not clearly posted at all stations

10 Future Considerations u Some program changes are at the state’s discretion –exempt 4 newest model years –increase emissions thresholds u Program changes constrained by federal law –decrease the cost waiver limit –exempt individual counties from the program –remove reformulated gasoline requirement

11 Future Considerations u Attainment/maintenance status expected in 2002 for six counties u Eight-hour ozone standard has a threshold of 85 parts per billion u 12 counties are potentially nonattainment areas under the eight-hour standard –Door, Jefferson, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Rock; Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Sheboygan, Washington, and Waukesha

12 Vehicle Emissions Testing Program Legislative Audit Bureau May 2002