5 days ago
State of Ohio closer than ever to ending E-Check program
CLEVELAND (WJW) – For decades, vehicle owners in seven Northeast Ohio counties have been required to undergo emissions testing every two years through the state's mandatory E-Check program.
Now, that could soon be history.
Thanks to the E-Check Ease Act, passed earlier this year by the Ohio General Assembly, the state is closer than ever to ending the program.
Under the legislation, car owners will be allowed to obtain an alternative emissions certificate.
I-Team: Browns' offer to city before moving to dome
Exemptions will expand to include vehicles six years old or newer.
According to State Rep. Bill Roemer (R-Richfield), the Ohio EPA submitted a full proposal last week to the U.S. EPA for approval.
This is the final step before the program can officially end.
'We're the closest we've ever been,' Roemer said.
Right now, Ohio spends over $12 million annually to operate the E-Check program.
'I calculated residents spend over 1 million gallons of gasoline each year just driving to and from testing sites,' said Roemer.
Roemer said the burden is especially hard on the working poor, who often drive older vehicles and must pay up to $300 for repairs, sometimes taking time off work just to get tested.
'This will eliminate that hardship,' Roemer said. 'It will save money and make people's lives easier.'
Fireworks-related injuries for Fourth of July period in Ohio surpass numbers for all of 2024
Currently, only residents of Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage and Summit counties must comply with E-Check.
The U.S. EPA has not provided a timeline for its review but issued a statement, saying:
'The EPA is committed to working with Ohio to achieve the state's air quality goals while growing the economy. This means cooperating closely with Ohio to ensure State Implementation Plans are in place in a timely way to continue improving air quality and are consistent with the Clean Air Act without imposing undue costs or red tape.'
If the federal agency gives its approval, Ohio's E-Check program could potentially end before the year is out.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Solve the daily Crossword
