Brunswick County: Emissions Testing Required?

Brunswick County, North Carolina, is one of 26 counties that no longer require vehicle emissions testing. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality made this decision after receiving final approval from the Environmental Protection Agency. This change came about due to improvements in air quality across the state. While safety inspections are still required for registration renewal, emissions testing is no longer necessary for vehicles in Brunswick County.

Brunswick County emissions testing ended in 2018

Brunswick County, North Carolina, ended vehicle emissions testing in 2018. The county was among 26 counties that the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) removed from the state's inspection and maintenance program. The change came after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gave its final approval.

The removal of the emissions testing requirement in Brunswick County was the result of a years-long process. More than four years before the change, the Division of Air Quality determined that ending inspections in rural counties would not negatively impact air quality. This determination was made after studying air quality improvements and concluding that removing emissions testing would not cause the state to fall short of National Ambient Air Quality Standards.

In 2017, state lawmakers passed Senate Bill 131, which provided for the removal of emissions testing requirements in certain counties. Governor Roy Cooper signed the bill into law in the spring of 2018. However, the change could not take effect until the EPA approved it. The EPA signed the proposed rule on July 16, 2018.

Before the change, 48 counties in North Carolina required emissions testing. After the change, only 22 counties in the state still required the inspections. While emissions testing is no longer required in Brunswick County, vehicle and safety inspections are still required for registration renewal in all 100 counties in the state.

Brunswick County emissions testing was removed by Gov. Roy Cooper

In 2018, Gov. Roy Cooper signed Senate Bill 131 into law, removing the emissions testing requirement from 26 counties, including Brunswick County. This bill was entitled "an act to provide further regulatory relief to citizens of North Carolina".

The removal of the testing requirement was prompted by North Carolina environmental officials, who stated that the state's air quality had improved enough to warrant the reduction. The Division of Air Quality determined that ending inspections in these rural counties would not negatively impact air quality or interfere with the attainment of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards.

The counties removed from the testing list were: Brunswick, Burke, Caldwell, Carteret, Catawba, Chatham, Cleveland, Craven, Edgecombe, Granville, Harnett, Haywood, Henderson, Lenoir, Moore, Nash, Orange, Pitt, Robeson, Rutherford, Stanly, Stokes, Surry, Wayne, Wilkes, and Wilson.

Despite the move, some environmental advocates argue that cutting the number of cars that undergo emissions testing will result in an increase in air pollution.

26 counties were removed from the testing list

Brunswick County, North Carolina, is one of 26 counties that no longer require vehicle emissions testing. The change came into effect on December 1, 2018, after the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality certified the removal of the counties from the state's inspection and maintenance program. The move followed final approval from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The 26 counties removed from the testing list are:

• Brunswick
• Burke
• Caldwell
• Carteret
• Catawba
• Chatham
• Cleveland
• Craven
• Edgecombe
• Granville
• Harnett
• Haywood
• Henderson
• Lenoir
• Moore
• Nash
• Orange
• Pitt
• Robeson
• Rutherford
• Stanly
• Stokes
• Surry
• Wayne
• Wilkes
• Wilson

The removal of these counties from the testing list means that only 22 of North Carolina's 100 counties still require vehicle emissions inspections. The change was made possible by improvements in air quality across the state. According to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, ending emissions inspections in these rural counties would not negatively impact air quality or interfere with the maintenance of National Ambient Air Quality Standards.

Despite the reduction in the number of counties requiring emissions testing, all drivers in North Carolina must still pay for a statewide annual safety inspection.

Vehicle and safety inspections are still required for registration renewal

Brunswick County, North Carolina, will no longer require vehicle emissions testing as of December 1, 2018. The county is one of 26 that have been removed from the state's inspection and maintenance program, according to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. The change was made possible by improvements in air quality across the state.

Despite the removal of emissions testing in Brunswick County, vehicle and safety inspections are still required for registration renewal. This means that residents of Brunswick County must still ensure their vehicles are in safe operating condition and meet all relevant safety standards. While emissions testing is no longer mandatory, it is important for vehicle owners to be mindful of the environmental impact of their cars and to stay informed about any future changes to the inspection requirements.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is responsible for overseeing safety inspections for vehicles in the state. These inspections cover various aspects of vehicle safety, including but not limited to brakes, lights, tires, and other mechanical components. The goal of these inspections is to ensure that vehicles on the road meet minimum safety standards, reducing the risk of accidents and promoting safer driving conditions for all motorists.

The specific requirements for vehicle safety inspections in Brunswick County can be found on the NCDOT website or by visiting a local inspection station. These requirements outline the items that will be checked during the inspection and the standards that must be met for a vehicle to pass. It is important for vehicle owners to be familiar with these requirements and to perform any necessary maintenance or repairs before scheduling their inspection.

While the end of emissions testing in Brunswick County may streamline the registration renewal process, it is crucial that vehicle owners remain vigilant about the safety and roadworthiness of their cars. Regular maintenance and timely repairs can help ensure that vehicles remain safe and compliant with applicable laws and regulations. By prioritizing safety and staying informed about inspection requirements, motorists in Brunswick County can continue to drive confidently and securely on the roads.

Environmental advocates are concerned about rising air pollution

Brunswick County, North Carolina, is one of 26 counties that no longer require vehicle emissions testing, according to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. The other counties include Burke, Caldwell, Carteret, Catawba, Chatham, Cleveland, Craven, Edgecombe, Granville, Harnett, Haywood, Henderson, Lenoir, Moore, Nash, Orange, Pitt, Robeson, Rutherford, Stanly, Stokes, Surry, Wayne, Wilkes, and Wilson.

While this change may be a result of improving air quality in the state of North Carolina, some environmental advocates are concerned about rising air pollution. Here are some reasons why:

The Impact on Health: Air pollution can cause serious harm to human health, including respiratory and cardiovascular issues, such as more frequent asthma attacks, heart attacks and strokes, lung cancer, reproductive harm, premature births, and even early death. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is responsible for nearly seven million deaths globally each year. In the United States, nearly half of Americans are breathing unhealthy air, with communities of color and low-income communities being disproportionately impacted.

Climate Change: Air pollution contributes to climate change, which brings more intense hurricanes, storms, flooding, droughts, and wildfires. These extreme weather events can cause deaths, injuries, and billions of dollars in property damage and infrastructure destruction. Additionally, climate change leads to increased ground-level ozone pollution, which is linked to more frequent asthma attacks, shortness of breath, lung disease, and premature death.

Economic Burden: Communities with poor air quality face economic burdens due to missed days of school and work, as well as increased medical costs associated with hospitalizations and emergency room visits.

Indoor Air Pollution: While emissions testing focuses on vehicle emissions, indoor air pollution is also a significant concern. It arises from various sources and can cause health problems, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

Environmental Injustice: Historically, highways and polluting facilities have been sited in or near low-income neighborhoods and communities of color. As a result, the negative effects of air pollution have disproportionately impacted these communities.

Despite the concerns about rising air pollution, it is important to recognize that efforts to improve air quality have been made, and there has been progress in reducing global average mortality rates from air pollution. However, with the ongoing challenges posed by climate change and the disproportionate burden faced by vulnerable communities, environmental advocates emphasize the need for continued action and policy changes to address air pollution and its impact on public health and the environment.

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