San Antonio – A federal stay issued by the Environmental Protection Agency has put on hold the vehicle emissions‑testing requirement that was set to begin on Nov. 1 in Bexar County. The rule would have required drivers to pay an estimated $20 testing fee plus a $7.50 registration surcharge.
Local officials push back
District 9 Councilwoman Misty Spears and Precinct 3 Commissioner Grant Moody traveled to Washington, D.C., to ask EPA officials to reconsider the mandate. Spears warned that the testing could impose a financial burden on residents who rely on older vehicles, especially if costly repairs are needed to pass the test.
Seeking a Clean Air Act exemption
The county is also pursuing an exemption under Section 179B of the federal Clean Air Act, which can relieve jurisdictions when pollution that harms local air quality originates outside the area. Spears argued that cross‑border pollution from Mexico and the region’s geography contribute to Bexar County’s air‑quality challenges. She also noted that during the COVID‑19 pandemic, vehicle traffic dropped sharply but local air‑quality levels did not improve significantly.
Next steps
The request now moves to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, which will work with the EPA to evaluate the exemption. Spears estimates the review could take 18 to 24 months or longer, as officials continue to advocate for removal of the testing requirement.
For the time being, Bexar County drivers will not be required to undergo emissions testing when they register their vehicles beginning Nov. 1.
Original reporting: KTSA News/Talk (San Antonio) — read the source article.
