🚀 go-pugleaf

There are obviously some misunderstandings about this program.

First, 1-800-EXHAUST operates only in the SF Bay Area.  1-800-CUTSMOG
operates only in Southern California, and is run by a different AQMD
(presumably under different rules).

Second, 1-800-EXHAUST is a VOLUNTARY compliance program.  (I cannot
speak for the S. Cal. program as I don't know much about it.)

If you call 1-800-EXHAUST to report a smoking vehicle, you will reach
a recording which asks for the vehicle license number and where and when you
saw the vehicle.  The owner of the vehicle will receive a letter stating that
his/her car was spotted emitting smoke for 10 seconds or more, along with
information about pollution from smoking cars and how to repair smoking cars.
That's it.  NO ENFORCEMENT ACTION IS TAKEN.  I can see no way that this
program can be abused.

If you receive a bogus notice, just throw it in the garbage.  (Or recycle
it. :-)  You have no obligation to do anything.

The Bay Area AQMD expects that about 20% of vehicle owners receiving such
notices will repair their vehicles.  Considering that the only cost to the
public of such a program is the cost of postage and calls to the 800 number,
plus perhaps 1 person to transcribe recorded messages, this is a pretty
cheap way to cut air pollution.  I can't see any real downside to it.

Rick Donnelly                          My opinions, not Taligent's.
Rick_Donnelly@taligent.com