High Emitting Vehicle Program
The High-Emitting Vehicle Program (HEVP) conducts regional programs reduce emissions from on-road mobile sources. These initiatives focus on public awareness and enforcement of emissions standards. The North Central Texas region does not meet Environmental Protection Agency standards for ozone levels, and vehicle emissions are a major cause of ozone-forming pollutants. Identifying vehicle emission problems that may develop between annual emissions inspections helps get the highest polluting vehicles repaired or replaced sooner.
In order for the region to meet federal air quality standards, it is necessary to address on-road emissions. The following programs work in conjunction with other air quality initiatives to help bring the North Central Texas region into compliance with the EPA mandated guidelines for the eight-hour ozone standard. The HEVP is a part of the State Implementation Plan.
General Public
The Regional Smoking Vehicle Program was developed so residents may anonymously report vehicles emitting excessive exhaust. Owners of reported vehicles receive a letter documenting the report and information about repair or replacement assistance that may be available.
Local repair facilities partner with the North Central Texas Council of Governments each year to host free Car Care Clinics throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth region. These clinics provide drivers with an opportunity to talk to a certified technician about their vehicles without any obligation to get their car serviced.
The Enhanced Remote Sensing Performance Based Pilot Program utilized the latest in remote sensing technology to target smoking and/or high-emitting gas and diesel vehicles operating on North Central Texas roadways. The main objective was to inform vehicle owners of emissions-related issues and offer solutions to improve air quality in our region.
In the Dallas-Fort Worth region a significant portion of on-road emissions are attributed to heavy-duty diesel vehicles, yet they are excluded from the state inspection and maintenance (I/M) program. Studies conducted under the Diesel I/M Demonstration Program evaluate the feasibility of incorporating diesel vehicles into the state I/M Program.
The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) facilitates the Heavy Duty Diesel Emissions Inspection and Maintenance Working Group for jurisdictions in the United States and abroad to share information about heavy duty diesel vehicle emissions inspection and maintenance programs and coordinate research and planning efforts.
Law Enforcement
The Regional Emissions Enforcement Program (REEP) works to identify high-emitting vehicles with fraudulent or improper emissions inspections as well as counterfeit or improperly issued temporary tags. REEP activities include on-road enforcement utilizing the NCTCOG Emissions Database (NED), covert operations on vehicle emissions inspection stations performing improper inspections, and identifying those engaged in fraud related to temporary tags. NCTCOG facilitates the Mobile Emissions Enforcement Working Group to encourage collaboration between counties to increase enforcement efforts.
The NCTCOG Emissions Database (NED) is an internet-based, password-protected database containing over 80 million vehicle emissions inspection records for all of the 17 nonattainment counties in Texas. NED is made available free of charge to any law enforcement agency and is an integral part of the Regional Emissions Enforcement Program.
The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) developed the College and University Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) Partnership Program to help educate schools and students on the various rules and laws related to regional air quality and mobile emissions enforcement efforts.
Staff Contacts
Anthony Moffa
Jason Brown
Chris Klaus