New Emissions Program Delayed Another Month

By Noreen Gillespie

Associated Press

HARTFORD –– Just one day before it was set to go online on September 19, the state postponed the start of its new emissions testing program for another month.

Agbar Technologies Inc of Chicago, the company running the program, told the state Department of Motor Vehicles it needs more time to get the equipment installed and the staff trained in the more than 250 participating garages.

Only 150 of the service stations scheduled to provide the test had the necessary equipment, software, and training to start the emissions tests Friday, said Bill Seymour, a DMV spokesman.

“It became very clear they were in varying states of readiness and this was making them nervous,” Mr Seymour said.

Brooklawn Service Center in Fairfield had the equipment, but would not have been able to use it Friday, said owner Scott Rosehill. The computer system arrived last week, he said, and he was still completing training classes.

“With the amount of stations that are around and what they have to do ... it’ s too much work to do in a short period of time,” Mr Rosehill said. “All the bugs should have been worked out before they started telling people, ‘It’ s time.’”

Christopher Stock, Agbar vice president, said the installment schedule was slowed because of problems with software, wiring, and equipment. While Connecticut’ s testing equipment is similar to ones in other states with decentralized testing, much of the newer technology is being used for the first time in Connecticut, Mr Stock said.

“The bottom line is ... we just got behind,” Mr Stock said. “Agbar takes responsibility for this network. We’ re working hard, and we have a schedule for rolling the rest of the implementations out.”

The DMV now plans to begin the testing program October 17.

The state has been without an emissions testing program since June 2002, when its contract with East Granby-based Envirotest Systems Corp expired. The new program replaces the system established two decades ago that had a series of regional, state-commissioned testing stations.

Vehicles are required to have an emissions test every other year. Cars made between 2001 and 2004 are temporarily exempt from testing. Under a new law, any motorist who fails to have a vehicle inspected will not be allowed to renew that vehicle’ s registration.

Motorists who already have received notices about new testing dates should discard them, Mr Seymour said. A revised notice will be sent with an extension of time to schedule and receive a new test.