Latest News from State Capitol and 55th District

February 27, 2025

Making Sense of PA’s Emissions Laws

At any level of government, it is important that policies and laws simply make sense.

When engaging in conversation, trying to describe a problem and possible solution, I routinely look at who I am speaking with for their body language and facial expressions. I then ask myself, is what I am saying making sense? The look on their face usually answers that question.

But sometimes, and for some topics, there is little explanation that can make sense of why something is the way it is. A perfect example of this is trying to understand why vehicle owners within certain counties in Pennsylvania are required to have their emissions inspected, while others are not. 

This is a question that I am often asked and after having learned why this policy is the way it is, I am even more motivated to change it.

In 1990, the federal government established updates to the Clean Air Act, which set emissions standards related to both stationary sources, such as factories and power plants, as well as mobile sources, including cars and trucks.

To comply with the federal standards, it was not necessary for Harrisburg to require vehicles emissions testing throughout the entire Commonwealth. Instead, the requirement only needed to extend to Pennsylvania’s most populated counties or those with heavy industrial activity. As a result, drivers in 25 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties are required to have their vehicles’ emissions systems tested.

Understanding how the current policy came to be is important when considering how we can change it.

While Pennsylvania is obligated to comply with the federal standards, we should be looking aggressively to determine if we can make changes to the emissions program without risking that compliance.

Prompted by a Senate resolution, in 2017 the Joint State Government Commission evaluated if Pennsylvania’s compliance with the Clean Air Act would be questioned if residents from several counties were no longer required to have their emissions systems checked. The commission determined that if the requirement was lifted in seven counties, Blair, Cambria, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lycoming, Mercer, and Westmoreland, compliance with the federal law would not be jeopardized.

It should be noted that in 2018, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved the removal of emissions testing in 26 of North Carolina’s 48 counties because of improved air quality. A similar action occurred in Tennessee.

With Westmoreland County being included in the list, I have co-sponsored a bill that proposes lifting the requirement in the aforementioned counties. The language in the proposal mirrors Senate Bill 35, which was passed by the Senate earlier this year and has been referred to the House.

While Senate Bill 35 is a great step in the right direction on this issue, there is more the Geneal Assembly can do.

It cannot be ignored that technological improvements in the auto industry have a tremendous impact on vehicle emissions overall. To me, I consider it a great overreach that any vehicle manufactured in recent years must have its emissions tested, in any Pennsylvania county.

As such, the Senate also passed Senate Bill 149, which would exempt the five most recent model-year vehicles from testing requirements. Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Virginia have all received EPA approval to exempt newer vehicles from emissions testing.

The importance of clean air and water is unquestionable. But this is not to say that every policy, regulation and law established decades or even years ago is working as intended. Such policies should be easy to understand and make sense.

Here are some additional news topics and reminders I would like to share.

Medal Ceremony for Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange- If you or someone you know is a Vietnam veteran who was exposed to Agent Orange dioxin, join the Orange Heart Medal Foundation for a day of honor and remembrance, and to receive an Orange Heart Medal. The event will occur Saturday, April 12, at the Murrysville Alliance Church, 4130 Old William Penn Highway in Murrysville, at 11:30 a.m. and include lunch. RSVP by March 30 to office@murrysvillealliancechurch.org or by calling 724-327-7206. 

Substance Abuse Help for Veterans - Did you know more than one in 10 veterans have been diagnosed with a substance use disorder? 

When veterans separate from the military, they may face a host of societal challenges adapting back to civilian life. Most will work through these challenges, but some fall on hard times, and sometimes resort to substance abuse as a way to cope. Help is available for veterans, family members and their advocates at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). 

Veterans are also encouraged to make use of PA VETConnect, a program aimed at helping veterans address the challenges of homelessness, employment, mental health, addiction and much more. If you or someone you know requires assistance, or would like more information about PA VETConnect or other DMVA programs and services, visit dmva.pa.gov.

PA Tourism Office Releases 2025 Travel Guide - Suffering with the winter doldrums? Check out the 2025 Pennsylvania Travel Guide and get started on your spring and summer travel plans! 

The free guide highlights must-see attractions, kid-focused fun, exciting events and many more great vacation ideas.

Visit visit pa.com/free-travel-guide to receive a free hard copy or to view it online. Happy travels! 


Representative Jill Cooper
55th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jordan Frei
724.875.8450
jfrei@pahousegop.com
RepJillCooper.com / Facebook.com/RepJillCooper