Pavliga and Roemer Meet with EPA to Urge End of E-Check

Today State Representatives Gail Pavilga (R-Atwater) and Bill Roemer (R-Richfield) coordinated a call with both federal and regional EPA personnel to discuss the E-check program. In 2020, the Ohio House of Representatives passed H.R. 247 – sponsored by Representative Roemer – which urged the federal government to eliminate E-check and find more efficient ways to improve air quality in Northeast Ohio. Last year, the House again passed a resolution (H.R. 56) to make this plea, this time sponsored by Representative Pavliga.

“It has become increasingly clear that the E-check program does more harm than good in Northeast Ohio,” said Pavliga. “With recent advances in fuel efficiency, emissions reduction, and electric vehicles, we have made great strides to promote clean air – not because of this burdensome EPA program, but because of innovations from the private sector. It is time for us to adapt these rules for the future. If we don’t, it won’t be long before these regulations apply exclusively to those who can’t afford to pay for them.”

A number of alternatives were discussed, including a reduction in the model years covered by the program and limitations on the program’s geographic footprint. Representatives Pavliga and Roemer will continue to push for elimination of and reforms to the E-check program, which burdens millions of working families across Northeast Ohio.

“This is an issue that I’ve worked on for years, and I will continue to strive for the program’s elimination,” said Roemer. “E-check is a burden on Northeast Ohio families, but especially on the working poor, who struggle to pay for costly repairs on older vehicles that more often fail inspection.”