Start your engines

Say CarTest to certain Maine drivers and stand back while they fume over a program that was supposed to result in cleaner cars but instead produced frustrated motorists. CarTest is gone, but the federal clean-air requirement that created it is not. The state, understandably hoping to avoid a repeat of this previous effort, has invited residents to comment on its latest proposal to meet the clean-air rules.

Or at least most of those rules. Because Maine, like Vermont and certains parts of Pennsylvania and New York, has cleaner-than-average air, the Environmental Protection Agency has a lower attainment standards for the state. Still, there are areas of the state that do not meet acceptable smog levels, caused in part by pollutants from cars. The question for Maine after the CarTest fiasco has been how to find a simple way to meet the eased standard that could be reliably applied and would not cost much.

A group of lawmakers, garage owners, mechanics, state officials and business people got together at the Legislature’s direction and recently produced a plan that deserves a serious look. Instead of tailpipe checks, it would have mechanics during the regular inspection conduct three additional tests: inspect for a working catalytic converter, the seal on gas caps and, for cars made in 1996 and later, the performance of a car’s diagnostics system.

The catalytic converter check is simple, and the diagnostics inspection usually is part of a tune-up for new cars anyway. The gas-cap seal, however, may raise concerns. The time required to perform that test reportedly is only a few minutes, but the tool needed costs $300 to $500. Mechanics would deserve to be compensated both for the additional time and the cost of the equipment. That may add an additional $3 or $4 per inspection.

The statewide aspect of the plan also could tick off some drivers in this area, but the fact that the tests would be carried out by local garages means that drivers could go anywhere in the state to get their cars inspected; southern Mainers, who would be required to get the additional tests done, could otherwise come north for an inspection sticker. The proposal is a tradeoff to avoid the centralized approach of CarTest.

Car owners should speak up now before the Legislature decides on the plan. Public meetings will be held at 7 p.m. tonight at the University of Maine Presque Isle, Folsom Hall, and, Tuesday, in Brewer: 3 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. at Jeff’s Catering, 5 Coffin Ave. Please go and express your concerns. Consider it a civic contribution to helping the state avoid another CarTest.