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Background information
Pennsylvania has had a garage shop-based emissions inspection program in the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh areas since 1984. Inspection stations used the same equipment for 13 years. Although the technology in vehicles improved over the years, inspection stations continued to use the same equipment for 13 years to conduct tests. The emissions testing equipment was outdated and wasn't giving Pennsylvania the air quality improvements needed to meet federal clean-air standards. Southwestern Pennsylvania was still classified by the EPA as a non-attainment area for ground-level ozone (a harmful pollutant that affects our respiratory system).

As a result, a new inspection and maintenance (I/M) program was implemented in the same counties on October 1, 1997 utilizing BAR 97 certified emissions inspection systems, the most advanced equipment available today.

According to the Drive Clean Pennsylvania Program, automobiles are responsible for 1/3rd of Pennsylvania's ozone pollution. By the year 2005, the new I/M program will reduce pollution by an estimated 1,200 tons a day statewide. That's equivalent to removing 600,000 vehicles from the roads in one year within the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia areas, according to DEP estimates.

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Implementation schedule for OBD I/M checks, gas cap and safety inspections

• SOUTH CENTRAL/LEHIGH VALLEY REGION COUNTIES
  (1.8 million subject vehicles)
  Berks  
  Cumberland  
  Dauphin
  Lancaster
  Lebanon
  Lehigh
  Northampton
  York
  
  PHASE-IN SCHEDULE:
  OBD I/M checks and gas cap tests will phase-in December 2003 through February 2004 for 1996 and newer vehicles. Gas cap tests and visual anti-tampering checks are also added for 1975-1995 vehicles.
  

• NORTHERN REGION COUNTIES
  (1 million subject vehicles)
  Blair
  Cambria
  Centre
  Erie      
  Lackawanna
  Luzerne
  Lycoming
  Mercer
  
  PHASE-IN SCHEDULE:
  Gas cap tests and visual anti-tampering checks will phase-in January 2004 through March 2004 for 1975-1995 vehicles.
  

• PITTSBURGH REGION COUNTIES
  (1.3 million subject vehicles)
  Allegheny
  Beaver
  Washington
  Westmoreland
  
  PHASE-IN SCHEDULE:
  1996 and newer vehicles will transition from four-gas analysis to OBD I/M checks and continue with gas cap testing during January 2004 through March 2004. Four-gas analysis, gas cap tests and visual anti-tampering checks will continue for 1975-1995 vehicles.
  

• PHILADELPHIA REGION COUNTIES
  (2.3 million subject vehicles)
  Bucks
  Chester
  Delaware
  Montgomery
  Philadelphia
  
  PHASE-IN SCHEDULE:
  1996 and newer vehicles will transition from five-gas analysis to OBD I/M checks and continue with gas cap testing during April 2004 through June 2004. Five-gas analysis, gas cap tests and visual anti-tampering checks will continue for 1975-1995 vehicles.
  

• 42 NON-I/M REGION COUNTIES
  (1.9 million subject vehicles)
  Adams
  Armstrong     
  Bedford
  Bradford
  Butler
  Cameron
  Carbon
  Clarion
  Clearfield
  Clinton
  Columbia
  Crawford
  Elk
  Fayette
  Forest
  Franklin
  Fulton
  Greene
  Huntingdon
  Indiana
  Jefferson
  Juniata
  Lawrence
  McKean
  Mifflin
  Monroe
  Montour
  Northumberland
  Perry
  Pike
  Potter
  Schuylkill
  Snyder
  Somerset
  Sullivan
  Susquehanna
  Tioga
  Union
  Venango
  Warren
  Wayne
  Wyoming
  
  PHASE-IN SCHEDULE:
  Visual anti-tampering checks will begin in December 2003 in addition to safety inspections currently conducted.

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