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By P. DOUGLAS FILAROSKI; Times Leader Staff Writer
Thursday, October 19, 1995     Page: 1A

WILKES-BARRE — A proposal to send motorists to neighborhood service
stations for auto emissions testing got the green light Wednesday from the AAA
and local mechanics.
   
At first glance, both groups lauded Gov. Tom Ridge’s revised plan as the
right route to satisfying the federal Clean Air Act.
    On Wednesday, Ridge announced his plan for auto emissions testing. The plan
allows motorists to take their cars to neighborhood service stations for
testing.
   
The new plan would replace a controversial program, developed under former
Gov. Robert P. Casey, which would have required emissions testing at 86
centralized stations.
   
“As far as we’re concerned, it represents convenience for the motorists.
And that’s who we’re for — the motorists,” said Charles Spitale, vice
president of AAA Valley Auto Club in Wilkes-Barre.
   
The Pennsylvania AAA Federation had opposed the plan to test cars at
centralized facilities because it would have “ping-pong-ed” motorists between
the facilities and repair stations.
   
Details of Ridge’s plan, including how the state will deal with Envirotest
Partners, were unclear Wednesday. Envirotest was hired to build and operate
the centralized emissions testing program.
   
The company has sued the state, claiming breach of contract at a cost of
$350 million. It had planned three facilities in Luzerne County: in Ashley,
Pittston and Hazleton. The center in Hazleton has been built on South Church
Street.
   
Company spokesman Jonathan Fotos did not return calls Wednesday.
   
If approved by the Legislature, the Ridge plan would require motorists to
have their cars tested annually. There will be a phased-in cap on repair
costs, beginning at $150.
   
The cost of the test would be dictated by garage owners, similar to annual
state inspections.
   
“No doubt about it, it will generate a lot more business for us,” said Jim
Hannis, who manages Mini Motors in Jenkins Township.
   
Not all service stations will be able to afford the $8,000 to $12,000 for
equipment to test cars, but enough will, to make it easier for motorists,
Hannis said.
   
Gino Rash Jr., who manages Vito and Gino’s Auto Repair in Forty Fort, said
the new proposal will prevent motorists from running back and forth between
testing and repair facilities, as well.
   
“The old way, you could have had us trying to fix a problem someone else
saw,” Rash said. “You might have had them coming back a second time if we
didn’t figure it out.”
   
Legislators, still unclear on Ridge’s plan, had mixed reactions Wednesday.
   
Rep. George Hasay, R-Shickshinny, prefers private garages to centralized
stations. But Hasay said he would vote against it because he disagrees with
the Environmental Protection Agency that the state’s air needs to be cleaner.
   
Rep. Thomas Tigue, D-Hughestown, voted for the centralized plan so that the
state could abide by EPA’s demands under the Clean Air Act, and wonders if the
private garages will be less costly for car owners.
   
However, Tigue said he had not decided how he would vote on Ridge’s plan.
   
TIMES LEADER/FRED ADAMS
   
Jim Hannis, manager at Mini Motors on River Road, Jenkins Township, says
emissions testing at local stations could generate a lot of business.