Contact:	Clarence Mills (202) 543-1440 c.mills@att.net
For Release:	Immediate News Bulletin PR-54 September 4, 2008

Florida Proposes to Adopt California Vehicle Emissions Standards

Super Warranty Excluded

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 4, 2008 - Florida's Environmental Regulation Commission held another briefing Aug. 28, 2008, to discuss Florida's proposal of adopting California's motor vehicle emissions standards, including the fleet-wide average greenhouse gas (GHG) standards.

Florida's Department of Environmental Protection has published its proposed rule to implement low emission and greenhouse gas standards for new mainstream passenger vehicles within the state, which would be identical to California's EPA-approved standards.

The zero emission vehicle (ZEV) provisions were not adopted. Florida follows Arizona in not proposing super warranty regulations. Florida's legislature will still review the proposal during its 2009 session.

Charles R. Elder, AAM, an ASA member from Tallahassee, Fla., and former chairman of the Automotive Service Association's board of directors, attended the meeting Aug. 28. He agrees with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's belief that the "zero emission vehicle portion does not make sense for Florida and should not be adopted because the 'super warranty' for ZEVs would have a high economic impact on Florida consumers as well as our industry, both in finances and choice of repair."

ASA supports Florida's goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in a cost-efficient manner, but opposes moving toward California's super warranty provisions. Clean car programs that make sense and are cost effective should be considered by regulators, not programs that harm small businesses and have long-term negative impact on consumers.

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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