Del. May’s proposal passes House and Senate Transportation committees

Del. Joe May’s (R-33) initiated legislation, House Bill 805, which calls for on-road remote sensing emissions inspection sites throughout the Northern Virginia region, has passed both the state House and Senate Transportation Committees.

Sens. John Watkins (R-10) and Richard Saslaw (D-35) are patrons of identical legislation, Senate Bill 502.

党Ninety percent of the vehicles in Northern Virginia are clean running vehicles,” May said in statement. “There is no reason we should not reward these motorists with an alternative testing option that will save time and reduce the inconvenience of obtaining an emission inspection at a traditional station.”

If approved by Gov. Bob McDonnell, on-road remote sensing will be part of a Clean Screen program that will allow vehicle owners to complete their biennial emissions inspection by driving past a laser-based mobile site.  If a vehicle meets the emissions criteria established by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, the vehicle owner will be notified and may elect to pay for the cost of the inspection by mail or electronically. 

The on-road Clean Screen program will be phased in over three years, with 10 percent of the qualified vehicles tested the first year, 20 percent the second year and 30 percent after the third year.  Noting that he would prefer to give 100 percent of Northern Virginia’s motorists the opportunity to take advantage of the Clean Screen program, May said he was limited by federal requirements that dictate the number of vehicles that can receive on-road inspections. 

“The Department of Environmental Quality felt 30 percent was in line with the federal requirements,” said May.

The cost of the on-road inspection is capped at $28.  While this is the same cost as a traditional station test, motorists in Northern Virginia will save thousands of dollars once the time lost from work, school, family and other opportunities are considered. 

The Clean Screen program is completely voluntary and motorists will still have an opportunity to choose a traditional inspection station if they prefer.

New voter cards mailed

New voter cards are being sent to Loudoun County voters whose precincts or polling places were affected by changes approved by the Board of Supervisors in the fall of 2011. County staff urges voters to inspect their new card carefully, and to go to the polling place listed on the card if they intend to vote in the March 6 Republican Presidential Primary Election.

If you believe you have been assigned to the incorrect precinct or district, please notify the Voter Registration Office at 703-777-0380.
More information about voting and elections in Loudoun County is online at loudoun.gov/vote.

Loudoun County Government Reform Commission seeks public input

The Loudoun County Government Reform Commission is soliciting comments or advice from members of the public. County residents and business owners will have that opportunity during two upcoming public input sessions:

-Feb. 23 at 7:30 p.m., or 15 minutes after the conclusion of the Board of Supervisors Budget Public Input Session (if held) in the boardroom, County Government Center, 1 Harrison St. S.E., Leesburg.
-Feb. 25 at 1 p.m., or 15 minutes after the conclusion of the Board of Supervisors Budget Public Input Session, Loudoun County Public Schools Administration Building, 21000 Education Court, Ashburn.

Speakers may sign up in advance by calling 703-737-8873. Sign-ups will also be accepted on site the day of the session. If you’re unable to attend any of the sessions, you may provide comments by sending an email to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), which will be received by all commissioners.

The Board of Supervisors created the Government Reform Commission to focus on “common-sense strategies and substantive recommendations for reducing costs, increasing efficiencies, identifying cost-effective and innovative ways to improve and deliver services and saving taxpayer’s money,” according to statement from county staff.

The 13 members of the commission are residents of Loudoun County serving at the pleasure of the board. The commission includes representation from the business, government, non-profit and community sectors.

More information about the Government Reform Commission, including meeting documents and audio, is online at loudoun.gov/reform.

– Trevor Baratko