           Home > Programs > Bureau of Environmental Protection > Office of Air Resources > Public Hearing re: Draft APC Regs 34,DMV Reg 1 and SIP |
||
 |
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING and COMMENT PERIOD Concerning Proposed Amendments to Air Pollution Control Regulation No. 34 "Rhode Island Motor Vehicle Inspection/Maintenance Program", the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) regulation "Rhode Island Motor Vehicle Safety and Emissions Control Regulation No. 1", and the State Implementation Plan (SIP) Notice is hereby given that a public hearing regarding proposed amendments to Air Pollution Control Regulation No. 34 "Rhode Island Motor Vehicle Inspection/Maintenance Program", the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) regulation "Rhode Island Motor Vehicle Safety and Emissions Control Regulation No. 1", and the State Implementation Plan (SIP), will be held in Room 300 of the Department of Environmental Management, at 235 Promenade Street, Providence, Rhode Island on Friday, March 9, 2007 at 10:00 a.m., at which time interested parties will be heard. The proposed regulations will align the testing standards for the Rhode Island vehicle inspection program with the EPA standards for on-board diagnostics (OBD) inspections for model year (MY) 2001 and newer vehicles. Additionally, the regulations are being modified to also require that the vehicle's malfunction indicator light functionality be checked visually as well as electronically through the OBD computer, as required in the EPA standards. When APC Reg. No. 34 was last amended (in 2002), automobiles with OBD computers were just being phased into the state's inspection/maintenance program using standards developed by EPA for vehicles manufactured during MYs 1996-2000. The EPA standards for vehicles of MY 2001 and newer are slightly more restrictive in that the EPA standards allow the inspection to be conducted on the vehicle's OBD system only if the OBD computer indicates that no more than one monitor is signifying a "not ready" code. The current Rhode Island regulations (and EPA's standards for 1996-2000 vehicles), allow the inspection to be conducted even if two monitors indicate a "not ready" code. Additional modifications are also proposed that are for administrative and clarification purposes only. The Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) regulation "Rhode Island Motor Vehicle Safety and Emissions Control Regulation No. 1" incorporates by reference APC Regulation No. 34. Therefore, it will be re-promulgated to incorporate the changes proposed to APC Regulation No. 34. No changes to the text of DMV Regulation No. 1 are proposed. Copies of the proposed amendments and a Fact Sheet are available at the Office of Air Resources at 235 Promenade Street, Providence, Rhode Island or on the Department's web site at www.dem.ri.gov. Written comments on the proposed amendments may be sent to the Office of Air Resources at the above address until 4:00 PM, March 9, 2007, at that time the comment period will end, unless extended by the hearing officer. It is requested that persons who wish to make oral comments during the public hearing submit a copy of their statement for the record. Members of the Office of Air Resources may question commenters concerning their remarks. The Department of Environmental Management building is accessible to those with disabilities. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodation should contact the Office of Air Resources at TCDD (401) 222-6800, or (401) 222-2808, or toll free at 1-800-752-8088, at least three business days prior to the hearing. Signed the 25th day of January, 2007 Stephen Majkut, Chief Office of Air Resources Charles S. Dolan, Administrator Division of Motor Vehicles |
|
For General Information 222-6800 • After Hours Emergencies 222-3070 • Disclaimer