Skip to main content

Cohen Sends Letter to EPA Administrator on 'Check Engine' Light Concerns in Memphis

February 24, 2012

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN-9) today sent a letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson on the concerns throughout the City of Memphis that car inspection facilities are failing local vehicles due to “check engine” lights that remain on, causing motorists to spend their limited time and money before passing inspection. A copy of the letter follows:

February 23, 2012

The Honorable Lisa Jackson

Administrator of EPA

1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20460

Dear Administrator Jackson:

I am writing to express my concern regarding the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) implementation of onboard diagnostic (OBD) system checks as part of the vehicle inspection and maintenance program. While I appreciate and support the EPA’s work to reduce harmful emissions, I am concerned that the implementation of the program is having a negative impact on my constituents. In the coming days, I would like to speak with you about my concerns and discuss how EPA can implement a solution to ensure that my constituents are not incurring unnecessary financial costs.

The OBD update to the vehicle inspection and maintenance program recently went into full effect in my district. After monitoring the execution of this updated approach, I have some serious concerns that the OBD testing is overly broad and creating problems for individuals who own cars that do not have emissions problems. I have spoken with mechanics in my district, and they estimate that about 50 percent of the vehicles they examine that have failed the OBD inspection have problems that do not impact emissions. These problems vary but can be as non-related as power steering failures.

As a result of Memphis’ large geographic area and limited transit service, my constituents rely on their vehicles to get to work, to get their children to school, and to take care of their daily needs. And with nearly one in five residents in metropolitan Memphis stuck below the poverty line (the highest level in the nation), many of my constituents are not able to afford the costly repairs that are a byproduct of failing the inspection. Given the anecdotal evidence I have received from local mechanics and constituents, I am deeply concerned that this well-intentioned regulation is posing a significant and undue financial burden on hard-working Memphians.

Thank you for all of your work to protect the health and welfare of the American people. I appreciate your steadfast leadership and look forward to working with you on this important issue.

As always, I remain,

Most sincerely,

Steve Cohen

Member of Congress