Small business groups are pushing legislation called the Skilled Workforce Enhancement Act (SWEA), sponsored by U.S. Rep. Mark Foley (R-Fla.) and Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.). The legislation, if passed, will provide a tax credit to small businesses up to $15,000 per year per apprentice for up to four years. The skilled labor force is decreasing and this bill would give incentives for businesses to train employees.
A coalition of 25 states that produce ethanol have asked President George W. Bush to consider ethanol in his energy policy. The Governors' Ethanol Coalition says its goal is to stop the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from allowing states to remove oxygen additives from reformulated gasoline. States such as California have asked for waivers to remove the oxygen additive called methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) because it has been found to cause the contamination of ground water. The coalition wants to replace MTBE with ethanol.
To provide members with complete information about state regulatory hearings and proposed regulations, ASA will now implement a national regulatory tracking program. The program will include information from all 50 states. Looking ahead, top regulatory proposals will also be included on the ASA Web site.
This new program will enhance the current state legislative information provided by ASA to its members. The new program will provide ASA members with a better opportunity to comment and participate in their state's regulatory proceedings.
In a major win for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled Feb. 27 that the EPA acted within its rights when setting new clean air standards for ozone and particulate matter. The justices ruled the EPA does not have to consider cost when protecting public health.
The court did rule against the EPA on the issue of the revised ozone standards. The EPA must go back and develop a “reasonable” interpretation of the statutory provisions authorizing this part of the regulation.
Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R-R.I.) has introduced U.S. Senate Bill 350, which would increase spending on cleanup for contaminated industrial sites called brownfields. Christie Whitman, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency administrator, said S350 has the backing of the Bush administration and urges its passing.
Christie Whitman, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency administrator, said the EPA will implement the diesel fuel rules approved at the end of the Clinton administration. The Bush administration had issued a hold on all rules approved during the end of former President Clinton's term. Whitman has said the regulations will be implemented as they were proposed.
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AutoInc. Magazine ® Vol.XLIX, May 2001
E-mail: info@autoinc.org, Web Site: http://www.autoinc.org
Copyright © 2001 Automotive Service Association (ASA). All rights reserved.