Contact:	Bob Redding (202) 543-1440
For Release:	Immediate News Bulletin 99.101 December 21, 1999

Clinton Unveils Tier 2 Rule

Washington, D.C., Dec.21, 1999 -- President Clinton unveiled new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules that will require oil companies to produce cleaner gasoline and force auto makers to develop sport utility vehicles that meet the same emissions standards as cars.

The new rule will apply to all light-duty trucks -- pickups, minivans, vans and SUVs. EPA has also strengthened the rules to apply to the heaviest passenger trucks as well. The truck rules could limit the weight of the largest trucks to 8,500 pounds.

The new auto emission rules will be phased in beginning with the 2004 model year. All passenger cars will have to comply by 2007, and SUVs and trucks have until 2009. Oil companies will be required to reduce the sulfur content of gasoline by 90 percent to 30 parts per million by 2006.

Environmentalists say the changes will have as profound an effect on the kinds of gasoline available as did the phaseout of leaded gasoline, which began in the early 1970s and ultimately led to complete elimination of that fuel in the United States.

The new gasoline will be used in older cars and trucks without any modifications. However, the gasoline does not come without some cost. Oil companies estimate that cleaning up fuels could add as much as five to six cents per gallon of gasoline. EPA on the other hand says the sulfur requirement would add one to two cents to gasoline prices.

Proponents of the measure claim that the implementation of the Tier 2 rule will have the same effect as taking 54 million cars off the road.

"EPA's new rule is certainly a good measure for the environment," said Bob Redding, ASA's Washington, D.C., representative. "Now, the focus needs to turn to the vehicles that are currently on the road."

The Automotive Service Association is the largest not-for-profit trade association of its kind, serving more than 13,000 businesses and approximately 70,000 professionals from all 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. Additional information about ASA, including past news releases, is available on the ASA Web Site on the Internet (http://www.asashop.org).