Cornfused about sump'n re: Atlanta metro area.

[RockmartDawg]

My understanding is that the metro area is determined by the EPA, and is based upon commuting patterns and is intended to try to lessen pollution from automobiles, hence the mandatory annual emissions test for people living in such designated counties.

The metro Atlanta area is said to consist of some 29 counties (see pic at the bottom).

I live in one such county... Paulding County. Just this past week I went through emissions testing as my tag renewal will be coming up before too awful long. Just yesterday I received my registration renewal from the Paulding County Tax Commissioner. There is an insert included... and this is where my being cornfused began. It reads:

"In 2024, all 2000-2021 model year gasoline-powered cars and light duty trucks (8,500 pounds gross vehicle weight rating or less) registered in Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette Forsyth, Fulton Gwinnet, Henry, Paulding, or Rockdale County must be inspected."

Hmmm. That ain't 29 counties. That's 13 counties. I thought that the emissions requirement applied to all designated metro counties, as that's the whole idea behind the "metro Atlanta" designation?

[81n95]

I stay in Walton county just across the line from Gwinnett.

Don’t blow this for us, Gene!

[RockdaleDawg]

I always heard it was 13 counties for annual inspections.  Kept up with oil changes and
basic maintenance & never had a problem.

[RockmartDawg]

Yep. The only time I have ever had to take action in preparation before an inspection was when a sensor failed. I have had an O2 sensor to fail, and a "knock" sensor to fail. Both of them cause your check engine light to come on and you have to get them fixed... ain't going to pass inspection until it is fixed.

The sensors can "fail" due to minor issues. I had an O2 sensor fail and the code said it was "reporting late", meaning the computer was looking for info within some number of milliseconds and it was reporting outside the defined range. Of note, I had to get an OME sensor (Honda) for it to clear. I first tried a Bosch O2 sensor from AutoZone and it would NOT clear... same fault... reporting late.

The knock sensor was a real trick. That thing is attached to the side of the engine block (4 cylinder... engine turned sideways), immediately behind the exhaust manifold. I had to have a mechanic replace that one.

---

I stay in Walton county just across the line from Gwinnett.

Don’t blow this for us, Gene!
[/quote]

I heard that.... I guess the outer counties aren't part of it. I have actually heard some rumblings that they may scrap the whole thing (annual emissions testing), saying it isn't doing anything toward helping with exhaust pollution, versus the cost of having to run the program.

[Concourse E]

I don't think the metro statistical areas are established by the EPA. I think they are defined by OMB (office of management and budget).

The requirement to test is established at the state level, though there may be some federal incentive through grants or discretionary funding.

[RockmartDawg]

Interesting. I have also heard that commuting patterns play into the equation, hence why a place like Haralson County is a "metro" county.

[McDonoughDawg]

It’s been 13 counties for the emissions as long I can remember. 25 year old vehicles are exempt..my 2000 Silverado had its last inspection last month..68k miles on the clock..

[RockmartDawg]

Man... that's great, only 68K on that bad boy.

I'm the opposite. My car is a bit older, but I have a whopping load of miles on it, as I have driven it to almost every corner of the U.S. The only corner state where I haven't driven it (yet) is Washington. I've been all around it, though... just not yet in Washington (in my car). I've flown there some years ago. Just never driven there.

[McDonoughDawg]

Road trip

[RockmartDawg]

Heh heh.. That'll do it. I'm ready for another one. My wife and I are good road trip buddies. We both love it.

[Beatledawg]

Was there no exemptions re: over 65 years of age, driven less than whatever mileage  I forget? I live in Rockdale and a few past 65 and drive my vehicles way less that whatever the number is. Haven't gotten one of those letters.

[RockmartDawg]

I read a blurb about exemptions for age 65 and over. You have to drive less than 5,000 miles per year, though, and you have to prove it via your odometer.