INDIANAPOLIS — State lawmakers have learned that their efforts to persuade the federal government to eliminate the need for vehicle emissions testing in Lake and Porter counties were unsuccessful.
In a letter presented Wednesday to the House Roads and Transportation Committee, U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Gary, said that while he shares the concerns of Northwest Indiana legislators about the testing program, it nevertheless must go on to ensure the Region meets federal air quality standards.
"I am keenly aware that the requisite motor vehicle inspections and maintenance program for residents of Lake and Porter counties can be burdensome," Visclosky said. "However, you should know that I oppose any action that would lower standards or undermine our nation's environmental laws."
Ozone is a pollutant produced by vehicle emissions that can cause breathing difficulties for children, the elderly and individuals with lung disease.
Visclosky also said the EPA has determined the Region is not in compliance with its new, lower ozone standard of 70 parts per billion.
Which means that even if Northwest Indiana were separated from the Chicago area for air pollution measurements — as recommended by Indiana Senate Resolution 4 and House Resolution 6 — residents still would be subject to mandatory pollution control measures.
Visclosky said, as a result, Indiana was required to commit to the EPA that it would continue the vehicle inspection and maintenance program in Lake and Porter counties until it meets the ozone target.
But even then the federal government mandates that the emissions testing program continue for an unspecified period to guarantee the Region doesn't backslide into excessive air pollution, Visclosky said.
"I'm sorry my reply could not have been more positive," he said.
State Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso, the committee chairman, said it's unfortunate that the federal government refuses to recognize that most ozone in Northwest Indiana is caused by the 186,752 cars and trucks passing through every day on Interstate 80-94, and not by vehicles driven locally.
He said that "until there's a major change in how EPA thinks" all the complaining in the world isn't going to make much of a difference.
State Rep. Mike Aylesworth, R-Hebron, who has been working on Region air pollution issues since 1980, reluctantly admitted that he concurs.
"I think we're going to be in this for a long, long time," he said.