Although a sharp critic of how the state implemented its current auto inspection process, Assemblyman Anthony Impreveduto (D-32nd Dist.) has asked the state for more information concerning a new high tech component of the process currently under consideration.
The proposed new auto emissions testing, called "On Board Diagnostic" (OBD), has already received the blessing of the Federal Environmental Protection Agency, and would do away with the current system which tests tail pipe emissions. The new test could report the immediate emission status of a car during operation, and highway-testing devices would operate the way RADAR detection units do now for speeding.
The testing device would transmit a beat of light at a car’s tail pipe and determine how many pollutants are being emitted. If the report comes back too high, the license plate is photographed and a notice is sent to the car’s owner to bring the car’s emission into line with state law.
The test would replace the current treadmill system, which was adopted for the state three years ago, but has had numerous glitches, including a tendency to break down in cold weather, creating massive lines at inspection stations.
The Federal EPA has asked the state to consider the drive-by-reporting system, despite the state being in the middle of a seven-year contract with the current system provider. The new system, however, has drawn fire from numerous critics, claiming that many cars that would pass the treadmill test would fail or emit false reports during highway testing, leaving many motorists to make unnecessary repairs.
In a letter issued to the state DEP on Aug. 7, Impreveduto asked if the new system would be implemented, and whether or not the state is capable of handling new glitches due to the changeover.
"If New Jersey moves to adopt OBD, shouldn’t the state renegotiate or cancel its contract with Parsons [Infrastructure and Technology Group – which operates the current system] based on the changes in the federal regulations?"
Impreveduto also asked if the state will need new equipment or if the program will be able to use what it has now.
Impreveduto said while the current contract has been a bad deal for the state, those setting up new testing should go into the program with their eyes open.
Impreveduto encourages seniors to go for gold
State Assemblyman Anthony Impreveduto has urged senior citizens in his district to apply for Senior Gold, a new prescription medicine discount program for middle-income senior citizens.
To qualify, single persons must have an annual income between $19,238 and $29,238. If married, the combined annual income must be between $23,589 and $33,589.
"Surprisingly, only one tenth of those eligible for the program have signed up since it became available in June," Impreveduto said.
Under Senior Gold, participants can obtain prescription drugs for a $15 co-payment, plus 50 percent of the remaining cost of the medication. A catastrophic benefit can kick in, requiring only the $15 co-payment, if a beneficiary’s annual out-of-pocket costs reach $2,000 for a single person and $3,000 for a married person.
Applications and more information are available by calling (800) 792-9745 or by writing to Senior Gold, PO Box 724, Trenton, NJ 08625. Applications can also be obtained at the state’s web site www.state.nj.us/health, or at participating local pharmacies, senior centers and area agencies on aging. – Al Sullivan