As you may know, most vehicles registered in Sheboygan, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Washington, and Waukesha counties are currently required to be tested for certain emissions every two years. This test is required because the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that our ozone levels in the air in southeastern Wisconsin are too high. Since vehicles emit some chemicals that aid in the formation of ozone, the goal of the program is to identify vehicles that emit high amounts of these chemicals so repairs can be made.
Please know that I have long opposed the existence of the emissions testing requirement for our area believing that other, more effective and less costly measures should be implemented to improve our air quality. In fact, in the past I have authored legislation to completely eliminate the program. This effort hasn’t been easy because of the tight federal requirement and the fact that our state would lose federal transportation funds if we don’t follow the federal mandate.
While I will continue to push my state and federal colleagues to end this questionable program, I have focused my attention in recent years on making the program less burdensome and less costly to the taxpayers and vehicle operators in this state.
Beginning on July 2, 2012, there will be some major changes to the administration of the Wisconsin Vehicle Inspection Program. Currently, there are nine specific locations around southeastern Wisconsin where individuals can go to get their vehicles emissions tested. In Sheboygan, this location is at 4528 Gateway Drive. Starting in July, these centralized locations will be closed and replaced by 200 individual testing locations. This decentralized emissions testing program is being overseen by SysTech, a company that manages emissions testing in four other states.
SysTech has recently completed a screening process and has selected 200 auto repair facilities that have been deemed, based on a number of criteria, to be suitable for hosting the emissions testing program. These private businesses will begin offering the admissions testing service on July 2nd. Many of these businesses will begin offering extended hours and vehicle registration renewal services as well.
Under this new system, each required vehicle inspection will be free to the motorist. Voluntary inspections will cost $15 each. Appointments are offered but not required. In addition, the new system will include several anti-fraud measures to prevent individual test results from being tampered with. In addition, state law disallows the private inspection facility from obligating or requiring a customer to purchase any additional goods or services.
In Sheboygan County, you will be able to get your vehicle tested at the following locations:
Mayer Automotive, LLC - W6082 Hwy. W, Cascade 53011 920-528-8506
Theel Auto. Inc. - N8364 Cty Rd. J, Elkhart Lake, 53030 920-876-2703
Carlton Automotive, Inc. - 1318 Center Ave, Oostburg, 53070 920-564-3433
Meyer Motors, Inc. - 107 Plaza Lane, Plymouth, 53073 920-893-1851
Sheboygan Chevrolet - 3400 S. Business Dr. Sheboygan, 53081 920-459-6850
Powers Tire & Auto Service - 3347 Kohler Memorial Ste. 24 Sheboygan, 53081 920-458-6901
If you have further questions about the new emissions testing program, I encourage you to visit the new program’s website at:
http://www.wivip.com/
Again, while I am personally opposed to the emissions testing program itself, I do hope that these changes will make compliance with the testing requirement easier and more convenient. In addition, by moving to this new system of testing, it is estimated that that we will save more than $597,000 each year.
As always, it has been a pleasure communicating with you. Please remember to communicate with me and share your input by calling 888-295-8750, writing to me at PO Box 7882, Madison, WI 53707-7882, or by e-mailing me at
Sen.Leibham@legis.wi.gov. You can also log on to the 9th Senate District on-line office at
www.leibhamsenate.com.
It is an honor to work for and represent the residents of the 9th District in the State Senate.