House Encourages Anch. Assembly To End I/M Program

(Juneau) - The Alaska State House today passed House Resolution 13, which encourages the Anchorage Assembly to rescind its 2008 action reinstating the Anchorage Vehicle Inspection and Management, or I/M, Program. House Finance Committee Co-Chair Bill Stoltze, R-Chugiak/Mat-Su, sponsored the resolution, which passed by a vote of 27 to 11 Wednesday. The resolution was not brought up for reconsideration, thereby ensuring passage.

Automotive technology has made a difference with new car emissions, and the 2008 Assembly action to reinstate the program – which met with significant public protest – is unnecessary and unwarranted.

"The I/M program was put in place at a time when air quality concerns in the South-central may have been more relevant. In the past, identifying over-polluting or unmaintained cars was an effective way to make a difference. But that time has passed, and the Assembly, under different leadership in 2007, repealed the program. This assembly should do the same thing," Stoltze said. "Anchorage has met the EPA air quality standards since 1996. Automotive technology has made a difference with new car emissions, and the 2008 Assembly action to reinstate the program – which met with significant public protest – is unnecessary and unwarranted. This is an unnecessary government mandated expense for Mat-Su and Anchorage families."

Copies of HR 13 will be sent to Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan and each member of the Anchorage Assembly.