Contact:	Caroline Holland (202) 543-1440 c.holland@att.net
For Release:	Immediate News Bulletin PR-15 March 3, 2008

ASA-Arizona Chairman Submits Comments on Arizona Clean Car Program

Department of Environmental Quality Excludes Super Warranty Provision

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 3, 2008 - ASA-Arizona has submitted comments to the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) regarding the proposed adoption of Article 18 to implement the California Low Emission vehicle program in Arizona, as permitted under the Clean Air Act Section 177 and 209. The letter praised ADEQ for eliminating the super warranty and included suggestions for the future of a Clean Car Program in Arizona.

ASA-Arizona Chairman Daniel Guido praised ADEQ for its exclusion of the 15-year/150,000-mile emissions component warranty in the proposed regulatory language. This has been a top priority for ASA-Arizona, as well as the other ASA affiliate groups nationwide that are monitoring the effect these regulations may have on ASA member businesses and the consumers they serve.

The Automotive Service Association commented that if the Clean Car Program is adopted as presented, Arizona would be forced to adopt future modifications implemented by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). As stated in the letter, "Such actions would clearly take away and violate an individual state's rights and authority, to change any regulation or rule that would have a negative effect on the demographics and vehicle population in Arizona."

ASA has also expressed concern that ADEQ has not performed an economic impact study to evaluate the effects of these regulations on independent automotive repair facilities across the state of Arizona. Finally, ASA-Arizona suggested that ADEQ consider a statewide emissions testing program. The limited program in Arizona today ignores the vehicles that are located in counties without emissions testing as well as vehicles of the part-time residents and transients who make up a large percentage of the vehicle population in Arizona.

Earlier this year, ASA urged Arizona independent repairers to contact their state legislators and, at a minimum, urge the Arizona Department of Quality to eliminate the super warranty provisions from the Clean Car Program. ASA hopes to continue work with the Department to continue improving air quality in Arizona.

To view the comments submitted to ADEQ, visit ASA's legislative Web site, www.TakingTheHill.com. They can be found on the home page by clicking on the "Super Warranties" link.

The Automotive Service Association is the largest not-for-profit trade association of its kind dedicated to and governed by independent automotive service and repair professionals. ASA serves an international membership base that includes numerous affiliate, state and chapter groups from both the mechanical and collision repair segments of the automotive service industry. ASA's headquarters is in Bedford, Texas.

ASA advances professionalism and excellence in the automotive repair industry through education, representation and member services. For additional information about ASA, including past news releases, go to www.ASAshop.org, or visit ASA's legislative Web site at www.TakingTheHill.com.

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