Colorado's much vaunted auto emission testing system turns out to be mostly ineffective when (finally) someone does an independent study.
Eight years after the Denver area started centralized pollution testing for cars, there's scant evidence that the $44 million-a-year program has done much to clear the region's air.
[...]
In 1995, drivers began taking their cars to one of 15 testing stations throughout the metro area. Since then, the Colorado health department has often led the cheers for the program, saying it cut tailpipe emissions of carbon-monoxide pollution by as much as one-third.
But audits of the program, independent experts and a 2001 study by the prestigious National Research Council all say evidence is skimpy that the pollution cuts ever reached the levels advertised by the health department.
Indeed, outside studies throughout the years come closer to backing critics' contentions that the program made only a small dent in air pollution, probably in the range of 4 percent to 8 percent - and no higher than a 15 percent reduction in carbon monoxide.
But hey, what's $44 million among friends? You can't argue with good intentions.
I wonder if there's any chance of having my emissions test fee refunded?
