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LOGAN — Addressing the bad air quality in Cache Valley, Cache County officials introduced an emissions testing program for vehicles. But the new program is not sitting well with some.
While the emissions program is considered a victory for some, others say it is a lot of money being thrown at only part of the problem.
"It's something we've been looking forward to for almost 10 years," said Randy Martin, an associate professor at Utah State University. Martin conducted a long-term study on pollution in the Cache Valley, where he found that many vehicles emit high amounts of pollutants.
"What we found was between five and 10 percent of our vehicles are the high emitters," he said. "And while most of those are older vehicles that you'd kind of expect as the engines get worn in, some are new — some are brand new."
Council member Val Potter, however, said he feels the county was strong-armed into the program by the Environmental Protection Agency. The program was passed by only a 4-3 vote.
"It really doesn't solve the problem," Potter said. "I feel like $1.8 million for the effect that it's gonna have on the air pollution in this valley really isn't justified."
It really doesn't solve the problem. I feel like $1.8 million for the effect that it's gonna have on the air pollution in this valley really isn't justified.
–Val Potter, Cache County council member
The Cache County Council had come up with its own solution that would have taken some of the worst polluters off the roads on bad air quality days, but the state rejected it, Potter said.
The new emissions program is expected to only reduce the pollution in the area by about 3 -5 percent, but Martin said he believes every bit will count.
"It's a harmful thing," Martin said. "There has not been a study that has ever shown this is good for you, or even negligible. There is a health effect every time you breathe this in."
Although the council narrowly approved the new emissions program, many believe it's just a start. Council members from both sides agreed that there needs to be a commitment from people to change their habits and cut down on the problem.
The emissions testing program will be put in place sometime at the end of the year.
