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NO on AB 2289 Eng unless amended

by Charlie Peters (cappcharlie [at] earthlink.net)
Arnold, BAR & CARB using AB 2289 Eng to cut green collar jobs
Money available to clean air and improve smog program

Charlie Peters, Clean Air Performance Professionals, March 22, 2010

The Smog Check issue has been under continuous legislative debate since 1993. AB 2289 by Eng is an opportunity to improve program performance and public support.

We at the Clean Air Performance Professionals propose “reasonably available control measures” to improve California Smog Check performance. Consider a Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) quality audit to improve smog check performance.

We propose using the CAP cars and funds to provide a random quality audit (or secret shopper) of smog check providers. Audits that result in the car’s not being in compliance should be handled similarly to the former Consumer Repair and Education Workforce program. The Bureau of Automotive Repair program did not fine the licensees nor did it involve coercion. But when the question of “what would you like to do?” was asked, the shop took care of business and usually elected to fix the car.

The average smog check failure repair is about $ 150.00 state wide. The motorist pays about the same at the average repair station and the CAP station. The average CAP repair is about $350.00. Many cars are not brought into compliance.

To level the smog check failure repair playing field so more cars meet standards after repair, the whole smog check market should be subject to a CAP random audit.

Around 1985, BAR started a “missing part” audit. In 1991 that program was stopped, The difference was a 300 percent change in result in finding the missing part.

When BAR ran less than one audit per station per year, the result was a change in behavior that started at more than an 80 percent rate, but moved to less than 20 percent rate of noncompliance.

The difference was a 300 percent change in result in finding the missing part. If the CAP audit was addressing the issue of repair compliance rather than just finding a missing part, the results may be the same or a 300 percent improvement in compliance. With the missing part program, a follow-up audit with increasing demands lift the stations no options but to find the missing part or be removed from the game.

There are huge inconsistencies from Smog Check station to station and with BAR representatives. For BAR to decide a car is not in compliance, rules of Smog Check must be clarified. Money is available for the CAP program. It can be used for contracted scrap and repairs, or some of the funds can be used to evaluate and support improved performance of licensed small business. The cars and funds are the same, but the results may be credit for 2,000 tons per day in pollution prevention credit in the State Implementation Plan, rather than our current credit of fewer than 400 tons per day.

The governor and state Legislature would get the credit for improved performance. Performance improvements would be accomplished at a cost of less than $500.00 per ton. And program illusions would be reduced in 1 year.

Charlie Peters is president of Clean Air Performance Professionals.

CAPP contact: Charlie Peters (510) 537-1796 cappcharlie [at] earthlink.net
by Charlie Peters (cappcharlie [at] earthlink.net)
Mary Nichols, CARB Chair, on AB32 global warming performance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zl-Nrep74qg

NO on AB 2289 (Eng) unless amended

If an elected official would request a copy of the Sierra Research SR 2007-04-01 report and all communication about the report from CCEEB, CED, CARB, DCA/BAR, IMRC, Parsons, SGS Testcom & Sierra Research it might help improve performance of Smog Check….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvB3em82Lkw

A random ‘Smog Check’ inspection & repair 'secret shopper' audit, ethanol cap and elimination of dual fuel CAFE credit can cut California car impact over 50% in 2010. (Prevent Over 2000 tons per day of sulfur, PM, HC, O3, NOx, CO & CO2.) Improved performance of AB32 at reduced cost. (support H.R. 1207)
by Scott
So is the standards for licensing the techs changing too? I have heard less schooling will be required to get a smog license if this bill passes...... thats not good, I know when I first received my license I was confused about many emissions related components on the vehicle and would pass a lot of cars that I now know would not have passed. If we bring in people that don't know much about cars we will be defeating the purpose of the smog program. many cars will pass on visual test that should not. I am a tech not a politician so I am not 100% sure about this bill.
by romo
Yes, they are trying to dummy down the test according to this bill I believe. This will undoubtly result in fewer people being qualified to do the correct job, which I believe will result in fruad/incorrect inspections. Soon, the bureau will see this and go automated/kiosk and a inpector will be a thing of the past. Thousands will have to look for a different type of profession. What a shame because I take pride in my job, I too am a inpector.
by Charlie Peters
The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) collects $billions$ using “Wallet Flushing” car tax. Is it time for CA AG Kamala Harris EPA GMO ethanol fuel waiver conversation?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zl-Nrep74qg

Dr. Stan’s California water supply opinion

http://mediaarchives.gsradio.net/radioliberty/121213d.mp3

CAPP contact: Charlie Peters (510) 537-1796 cappcharlie [at] earthlink.net
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