CLEVELAND — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has rejected some Northeast Ohio lawmakers' proposed legislation that would have loosened restrictions on e-checks.

Under the "E-Check Ease Act" drivers in seven area counties could have skipped out on in-person emissions tests by simply signing a form stating their vehicle meets clean-air regulations.

However, the EPA argued this approach would violate the Clean Air Act and potentially leave thousands of high-emission vehicles on Northeast Ohio roadways. Currently, only Cuyahoga County and six surrounding counties, including Geauga and Lake, require drivers to complete E-Check emissions testing every two years.

Vehicles between 4 and 25 years old must pass these inspections.State Representative Bill Roemer, who has led the effort to

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