Taking The Hill
By Matthew T. Brown OSHA reform legislation
Secretary of Labor Alexis Herman has said that she will recommend that President Clinton veto legislation passed by the Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee that would make significant changes to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The reform bill includes language that would prohibit citations in certain instances when the employer did not know about violations and would allow workplace inspections by private consultants hired by businesses. These inspections would exempt businesses for two years from OSHA civil penalties.Stormwater
ASA is involved with the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) stakeholder group for new stormwater regulations. EPA has been developing Phase II regulations for stormwater for several years that will target small dischargers, particularly construction sites. While vehicle repair facilities are not specifically targeted under the Phase II regulations, municipalities must target illicit discharges of pollutants.Although the advisory committee met for two days to review and make comments on the new regulations, EPA officials said that very few changes, if any, would be made prior to the end of November when the proposed rule was scheduled to have been published (as of AutoInc.'s time of publication).
After the proposed rule has been published, EPA will receive comments from the public about the rule and its impact on municipalities and the business community.
Salvage update
The Senate Commerce Committee held a hearing on legislation (S. 852) that would establish national uniform requirements regarding the titling and registration of salvage, non-repairable and rebuilt vehicles. Representatives from the salvage market, the insurance industry, the automotive dealers and a consumer protection agency presented testimony on the potential effects of the legislation. The Senate legislation defines a salvage vehicle as a late model vehicle up to seven years old that has been damaged, destroyed or wrecked up to 75 percent of its pre-accident value or has a retail value of $10,000. Similar legislation has passed the House Commerce Committee. The House bill defines a salvage vehicle as one that is up to seven years old that has been damaged, destroyed or wrecked up to 80 percent of its pre-accident value or has a pre-accident value greater than $7,500.ASA supports the 80 percent threshold in the House bill and the $10,000 figure in the Senate bill. Additionally, ASA hopes that cars more than five years old are not included in the definition.
Antifreeze coalition letters to EPA
As part of the Antifreeze Coalition, ASA has contacted officials at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) about recycled antifreeze and its possible classification as hazardous waste. ASA argues that recycled antifreeze should be exempt from hazardous waste requirements. ASA and the Antifreeze Coalition encourage the use of recycled antifreeze and believe that subjecting it to hazardous waste requirements would discourage recycling efforts. We are working with the EPA to ensure that recycling is encouraged and that it does not face unnecessary regulations.Clean air
The Senate Subcommittee on Clean Air, Wetlands, Private Property and Nuclear Safety Subcommittee held a hearing on legislation (S. 1084) that would delay implementation of the new, more stringent air quality standards for ozone and particulate matter. The legislation would also establish a research and monitoring network and delay the establishment of new standards for at least four years. Similar legislation has been introduced into the House, but there are not enough votes to override a veto that President Clinton has promised. Subcommittee Chairman James Inhofe (R-Okla.) plans to offer this legislation in the form of an amendment to the Transportation Authorization and Fast Track trade legislation.Fuel cell car
Energy Secretary Frederico Pena has announced the development of a fuel cell powered by gasoline that produces almost no pollution. The fuel cell uses traditional gasoline and promises performance similar to today's engines. Different from the electric car technology that requires a large battery that takes a great deal of time to charge, the fuel cell will power a vehicle for great distances.ASA Main Page || AutoInc. Main Page
How's your business? || EGR systems: operation and diagnosis || Achieving pre-accident condition, avoiding diminished value || Tax reform: past, present, future || Coping with extended warranties || Value-added services build loyalty || Guest Editorial: It's time to role up our sleeves || Tech Tips || News Briefs || Taking The Hill || Around ASA || Shop Profile || Net Worth || Chairman's Message
AutoInc. Magazine ®, Vol. XLV No. 12, December 1997