Decades-old program mandates vehicle testing in seven southeastern Wisconsin counties.
Congressman Tom Tiffany announced Monday that he supports ending Wisconsin’s vehicle emissions testing program and pledged to seek a federal waiver from the Environmental Protection Agency if elected governor. Tiffany, a Republican candidate for governor, made the announcement at a press conference in Greendale. He was joined by state representatives and Milwaukee-area business leaders.
The program, required under the federal Clean Air Act, mandates that drivers in seven southeastern Wisconsin counties — Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Sheboygan, Washington and Waukesha — complete a diagnostic test every two years to renew their vehicle registrations. The requirement has been in place since 1984.
“Because of federal rules, hundreds of thousands of Wisconsin drivers across seven counties must take time out of their day to travel to testing sites and complete mandatory emissions tests every two years just to renew their registration,” Tiffany said in a statement. “Today’s vehicles are cleaner and more efficient, yet this program remains time-consuming, frustrating, and often places costly repair burdens on those least able to afford them. After 40 years without clear evidence of meaningful impact, it’s time to reconsider this program, and as governor, I will work to end vehicle emissions testing here in Wisconsin.”
Tiffany also said he would pursue a waiver from EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin to eliminate the requirement. He also called for addressing pollution sources beyond Wisconsin, including emissions drifting from Chicago and northwestern Indiana.
“Wisconsinites should not be penalized by an outdated system that fails to address the real sources of air pollution coming from places like Chicago,” Tiffany said. “It’s time for a smarter approach.”
The announcement builds on an effort by state lawmakers, who sent a letter to Wisconsin’s congressional delegation urging Congress to take action and repeal the program.
