Mandatory Vehicles Emissions Testing
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association urge the Province of Alberta to institute mandatory vehicles emissions inspection and maintenance program for all older trucks, buses, and passenger vehicles being registered in the Province of Alberta to reduce vehicle emissions of smog-causing pollutants by requiring vehicles to undergo an emissions test, identify emission roblems, and have them repaired.
WHEREAS the population of Alberta is expected to continue to grow in the coming years, along with the number of registered vehicles on our roads;
WHEREAS Alberta reported over 3.1 million registered vehicles in 2012, a 9.5% increase from 2008;
WHEREAS automotive emissions from cars, trucks, and buses are a significant contributor to smog, air pollution, and the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG);
WHEREAS automotive emissions can have a significant negative impact on air quality in our communities and province;
WHEREAS most drivers of older vehicles do not regularly test for emissions and therefore, may not be aware of repairs or maintenance needed to their vehicle to reduce their emissions, and could benefit from increased awareness and public education relating to the types of emissions and impacts associated with vehicle emissions;
WHEREAS The Government of Alberta released a renewed clean air strategy in 2012 indicating it has been a global leader in its approach to air quality management but admitting that “many non-point source emissions remain largely unmanaged and additional management tools are required;”
WHEREAS there are high health and environmental costs to the pollution generated by vehicle emissions which are often borne by individuals, tax payers, and local municipalities;
WHEREAS other provincial governments including Quebec, British Columbia, and Ontario have instituted mandatory vehicles emissions testing programs, at least in portions of their provinces, demonstrating the process is possible;
WHEREAS Alberta already requires inspection of all incoming inspection of vehicles entering Alberta for safety and could conceivably expand the process to require air emissions testing of older vehicles, and expand the process to include all trucks, passenger vehicles, and buses being registered once they are a set age and older (excluding those vehicles that do not generate emissions such as electric vehicles); and
WHEREAS many municipalities have been investing time and resources into local sustainability initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and put significant effort and pride into having clean, healthy communities, but have little control over the regulation of vehicles emissions into the air from older vehicles.