Tricky Tailpipe Policy

The Denver Post's Kim McGuire also reported today on problems facing the state's new tailpipe emissions testing policy. The new policy will allow more cars to go untested longer, raising concerns that Denver's already unhealthy ozone levels will not get better.

What the article didn't discuss is that the state is also grappling with how to implement the new policy. The goal is to focus resources on detecting the older and dirtier cars, but how will the state make sure these cars get cleaned up?

The overarching concern, however is that the new policy will exempt newer cars from testing. Yet as we all know, newer cars do decline and if not maintained properly, can be as bad as some older cars. The rule assumes that all newer cars will be maintained properly, an assumption that seems very flawed. With rising smog, it doesn't seem like the new policy is a smart move.