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Supplemnent of the Caniadian Statesman, April g8, 1976 9 Environmiental agency officiai reports Em is s iontes t s e-èausave $2ý0-$25 3ayuear -lu gas .......... Pro per maintenance of engin.o, as indicted by inspectionis, called key to bene lits By ROGER ST.RELOW U.S. Environniental Protection Agece - Assistant Administrator for Air and Waste Management Motorists could save between $20 and $25 in gasoline costs each year by having their auto emnission control equipmentregularly inspected and maintained. Some motorists are already realizing these kinds of savings. Since 1972, New Jersey has operated an inspec- tion antd maintenance (I/M> program in connection with an annual safety inspection. Chicago; Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Ohio; Portland, Oregon, and Riverside and Las Angeles, Cal- ifornia are also now conducting some type of I/M program. These last several programs were or- dered by the U.S. Environment al Pro-, tectioni Agency as part of larger airÇ- dlean-up plans for these seriously pol- .ý luted areas. I M can have benefits beyond gasoline,«' sa vings. It resuits in more efficien t run- ning- vehicles. In some areas, it could mean numerous employment opportuni- ties for qualifled mechanics. Most im- Mr. Strelow portantly, from EPA's Wliat .tudie shlow point of view, I/M makes Studies have shown that city air mare, breathable. l te otosi hs The areas now affected aiotrcnrosnthe by I/M (and there are 21 areas - mndustrial, munic- other regions' that also ipal and new cars replac- ought to have this 'pro- ing old cars- are by grmin effect) need the themselves not enough to gamtoa muto i achieve health protecting addiiona amont 0 air levels. cleanup provided simply I/M ospvielan to protect public, health er air.dow es rvieydean f rom the grossest hazards: mates New Jes crsey msti respiratory ailments, the o thapllt ianonnsd- aggravation 0 f heart dis- oi d13pllut ncasde ease, and increased death cind1peetsncis rn.t.p.qprogram began. Other au- to related pollutants in the state are also decreas- ing. For the other areas af- fected by I/M, this kind of improvement cannot be as easily cited since their programs have flot been in effect as long as New Jersey's. The annual-cost to the motorist of an I/M pro- gram now varies between $1 and $5 per year either in additional registration fees or payments at the inspection site. At this time, four out of five cars have been passing the New Jersey test, and repair costs fôr those that have- n't have averaged between $30 and $35. Tailored -to need.. A large amount of lee- way is provided states and localities by EPA in setting up I/M programs, tailored ta their. partidular needs and resources. For example, I/M may be run separately or along with a safety inspection; state-owned, contractor operated, or commercial inspection sites may be used; maintenance of emission controls may be initially introduced- as a voluntary mneasure; pass- f ail standards may vary somewhat, and two basic testing methods may be employed. EPA does insist that I/M be done at least annually and, that, regardless of specific program, the over- ail objective must be ac- complishied of most vehi- dles meetin.g the emission standards for their partic- ular. model year. The quality of mechan- ical work done in 1/M -is obviously critical to con- sumer acceptance of the prog'ram. In this regard, EPA and, the U.S. Depart- ment of Health, Education and Welf are have avail- able $100, 000 in matching grants f or five states (New York, Pennsylvania, Cal- if ornia, Oregon and Ani zona) to train instructors who wili then train me- chanics in the proper maintenance and repair of -emission control hiard- ware. These states were select- cd on the basis of their readiness to implement I/M. More o participaie With Federal and local cooperation, the future should sece more motorists obtaining a regular 1/M checkup. It will beniefit their car, in most cases their pocketbook, and above ail their hcalth. Other regions under an EPA requirement ta inrsti- tute I/M programns are: Boston and Springfield, Massachusetts; New York; Philadeiphia; Pittsburgh; Washington, D.C.; Balti- more; Indianapolis; Hous- ton; San Antonio; Denver; Sait Lake City; 'Phoenix; Tucson; San Francisco; San Diego; -Sacramento; AUTO FACY Fresno (California); Seat- tle; Spokane; and Fair- banks, Alaska. ENINE STAYS "IVRNEP ON *? 'i - "'z, ~ ~