NAMPA -- Emissions testing has begun in Canyon County.
This first time ever Canyon County drivers have been required to get their vehicle tested.
Testing stations opened for business this morning and drivers started showing up.
Larry's Chevron in Nampa is one of 20 locations that is doing the emissions testing. Nearly a dozen cars had come through by noon.
Testing takes only a few minutes and costs $10.
Here are the vehicles that are required to be tested:
- Autos from 1981 to 2005.
- Hybrids are exempt.
Owners will only have their vehicles tested every other year. For example, this year only even numbered cars are required to be tested, such as 2000, 2002 and 2004.
Stephen Coe is the regional airshed manager for the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality. He explained why testing has come to Canyon County.
"State law requires that testing within an area. When ambient air conditions get into an area at a certain level that testing be implemented if vehicles are one of the top two sources of the pollution. That's been shown to be true for Canyon and Ada counties as the primary sources for the Treasure Valley," said Coe.
Canyon County commissioners have strongly opposed emissions testing.
Commissioners said earlier this year that they have not been provided with new data that shows emissions testing works.
Last month they sent a letter to Gov. Butch Otter asking him to postpone the start date, but that hasn't happened.
Not everyone is unhappy about the new testing.
"The fact that it cost about $10, if it costs $50 I'd be a lot less comfortable with it," said driver Sam Moraski. "It's something that was bound to come. You know there are a lot more cars around. I don't know if they're going to do a deal on the emissions from chimneys because that's been a big problem lately. It is interesting that cars no earlier than '81 don't need to be tested. You would think those cars are the most pollutant."
NewsChannel 7 attempted to talk with Canyon County commissioners today, but we were told they were not available.
A spokesperson for the county did issue a statement. It reads...
"Rest assured, your commissioners continue to work to ensure this program be based on science, and will not give up the fight until DEQ can prove to us that emission testing works. Because we don't want our residents to jeopardize their right to drive their own vehicles, we do encourage Canyon County residents to comply with the law, and have their vehicles tested."
