Legislation allowing for a crackdown on vehicles pumping out toxic exhaust emissions is still a work in progress, more than three years after Bermuda Emissions Control launched its pollution testing project.The Ministry of Transport yesterday said it is currently working on legislation which would force owners to repair their vehicles when they fail an emissions test.Government would only give a minimal progress report on the $15 million initiative plagued by criticism due to soaring costs and accusations of cronyism under former Premier and Minister Ewart Brown.Kicking off the programme in April 2009, Dr Brown pledged it would help the environment by establishing an exhaust emissions standard to cut greenhouse gases.In recent weeks, The Royal Gazette has been asking the Ministry for details on its emission standard and numbers of vehicles which have failed an emissions test.A Ministry spokeswoman replied in a statement yesterday: “The Ministry advised that emissions legislation is currently being worked on.”Government declined to say whether BEC has met the conditions in its contract, the handling of which came under fire from Auditor General Heather Matthews and the Public Accounts Committee, and prompted Premier Paula Cox to declare such a performance would never happen again.The motor vehicles safety and emissions testing programme involved constructing the new TCD building in Hamilton as well as satellite testing centres in St George's and Southampton.In 2001, Dr Brown told BEC that Government would waive tendering requirements and award it any related contracts on emissions testing.The initiative faced numerous delays as Cabinet debated its value for money, before BEC finally began safety and vehicle inspections at TCD in April 2009.At that time, Dr Brown said: “I salute the principals of BEC for their persistence. They are proving that good transport technology can enhance our Country's health and environment in line with a global mission to protect the earth.”Government said no vehicle would fail between April 2009 and March 2010 while it established its exhaust emissions standard.An update was provided in October last year, when BEC director of operations Ian Hind said the company had collated and analysed emission data to determine suitable pass and fail points.“This information is now with the Government and the new emissions legislation may come into force in the first quarter of 2012,” said Mr Hind.“When legislation is in place, any vehicle not meeting the required emissions standard will fail and have to be repaired and presented for a retest.”Last July, the PAC issued a report claiming there was specific intent at the highest level of the Ministry of Tourism and Transport to give the emission project's contract to BEC, a company partly owned by Dr Brown's close friend Dennis Correia, regardless of Financial Instructions rules.In October 2010, Mrs Matthews delivered a scathing report condemning the lack of oversight as the project's cost to taxpayers jumped from $5.3 million to $15.2 million.Ms Cox, who introduced good governance legislation shortly after replacing Dr Brown as Premier, told the House of Assembly a year ago: “I can stand here before this Honourable House and state with great conviction that there will be no repeat of this type of performance under this Government.”Former Cabinet Secretary Marc Telemaque has previously defended the project, saying much of the cost increase was approved by MPs in Budget debates, and that TCD has hugely improved as a result of the redevelopment.* What do you think? Email news@royalgazette.bmUseful website: www.etcd.gov.bm