Five counties in Tennessee are ending the requirement that vehicle emissions be tested in order to renew registration each year, per WKRN.
Starting January 14, 2022, the emissions testing requirement will end for Hamilton, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson and Wilson Counties, according to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC). Davidson County will continue to require emissions testing each year.
Emissions testing has been a requirement in several Tennessee counties to help determine the level of air pollutants emitted from the exhaust. The move to end testing in certain counties follows approval from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which found the state to be consistent with the federal Clean Air Act.
"This decision by EPA is a major step that means an end to mandatory tests of vehicles for many Tennesseans," said David Salyers, TDEC Commissioner. "It's a recognition of the improvement of our state's air quality and demonstrates the diligence Tennesseans have shown toward achieving and maintaining this goal."
The elimination of testing was praised by lawmakers across the state who passed legislation in 2018 that would end emissions testing 120 days after EPA approval.
"Emissions testing is not only time-consuming for taxpayers, but also completely unnecessary," said House Majority Leader William Lamberth. "Today's vehicles are environmentally cleaner than ever before and Tennessee's air quality is exceptional. I'm very proud we have finally eliminated this obsolete test that put a terrible burden on lower income families and small business owners by forcing them to pay for needless repairs."