Outside of the Valvoline on the corner of Fuller Road and Central Avenue there is a large sign which reads New York State Official Inspection Center.  Well, don’t believe everything you read.   

 
     I took my Buick to Valvoline for an inspection and an oil change but was only able to get the oil changed.  Why?  Because apparently there is a considerable difference between the emission standards held for upstate New Yorkers and downstate New Yorkers.  So much so that the service station was unable to provide the service I needed most.  The sign should read Official Inspection Center for Upstaters Only.
 

     In November of 2005, Governor George Pataki and the New York State Environmental Board approved regulations that require significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles.  These measures are being taken in an attempt to reduce New York State’s light and medium-duty vehicle greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 14,855,500 CO2 equivalent tons per year in 2020 and by 26,280,000 CO2 equivalent tons per year in 2030.  How these figures are figured is beyond me.
 

     But the statewide measures, too, are misleading in that most of the reductions are taking place south of Westchester County.  Since my car is not registered in upstate New York but on Long Island, it is held to a higher standard of lower emissions.  It is now March 2006 and the technology needed to meet these new statewide standards has yet to reach the Capital Region.  How ironic.  So instead of continuing my internship this weekend I’m forced to take time off to drive home to Long Island, all for a car inspection.  I wonder how much pollution will be created in my six to eight hour round trip.  Figure that one out, Pataki.   
 

 http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/press/pressrel/2005/2005131.html