News Release 556

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES SEEKS BIDS FOR COMBINED VEHICLE EMISSIONS, SAFETY INSPECTION PROGRAM FOR ST. LOUIS

Volume 34-556

Contact: Renee Bungart

(For immediate release)

573-751-4465

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, DEC. 19, 2006 -- The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is seeking proposals for implementing a new state law that would combine motor vehicle emissions testing and safety inspections in the St. Louis area.

The law, which was passed during the 2006 legislative session, affects an area that includes the city of St. Louis, and St. Louis, St. Charles, Jefferson and Franklin counties.

This request for proposals is designed to acquire offers for implementation of the combined program to include management services, a vehicle inspection database, and the latest on-board diagnostic vehicle inspection equipment and software necessary to replace the existing program.

The implementation and maintenance of the combined emissions and safety program is designed to achieve the state's goal of reducing ground-level ozone in the St. Louis nonattainment area and provide convenience to area motorists whose vehicles fall under the testing requirements. Ozone is a respiratory irritant that can cause health problems, especially for children, the elderly and people with heart and lung diseases.

"Clean air for the citizens of the St. Louis area is one of our very highest priorities," said Department of Natural Resources Director Doyle Childers. "The new law's provisions to combine the vehicle emissions and safety inspection tests will provide an added convenience for area motorists as they will have a 'one-stop' shop to fulfill their vehicle's testing requirements."

Missouri will contract with a company to provide emissions inspection software and test equipment to local garages wishing to become licensed emissions inspection stations. Any facility or inspector that wishes to take part in the next combined emission and safety program will apply for an emissions inspection license from the appropriate state agency.

The cost of the station license is capped at $100 per year by state statute. There is no cost for the inspector license. A facility will have the option to be licensed to conduct emissions inspections in either an "inspect only" or an "inspect and repair" capacity.

The safety inspection program and licenses will still be regulated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The new stations are scheduled to begin testing in the fall of 2007, replacing the emissions only tests currently performed at contracted stations in the St. Louis area.

All 1996 and newer gasoline-powered vehicles and 1997 and newer diesel-powered vehicles under 8,501 pounds gross vehicle weight rating registered within the St. Louis non-attainment area will be subject to an on-board diagnostic (OBD) and a gas cap pressure emissions inspection.

The inspection frequency will remain the same as it is currently, with all odd model year vehicles tested during odd numbered years and all even model year vehicles tested during even number years. The emissions test fee is capped by state statute at $24 per test. All licensed emissions inspection stations use equipment capable of recording emissions inspection results, and transmitting these results to the state on a real-time basis. Equipment will be available for either purchase or lease.

For more information about, or a copy of, the request for proposals, contact Cindy Stafford, Office of Administration at 573-751-7076 or visit the State of Missouri on-line Bidding/Vendor Registration System Web site at www.moolb.mo.gov. For more information about the testing program, please contact the department's Air Pollution Control Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-4817.

For news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel. For a complete listing of the department's upcoming meetings, hearings and events, visit the department's online calendar at www.dnr.mo.gov/calendar/search.do.

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