Contact:	Bob Redding (202) 543-1440
For Release:	Immediate News Bulletin 98.02 January 29, 1998

Sierra Club Sues EPA Over Auto Emissions Study

Washington D.C., January 29, 1997 - The Sierra Club has filed suit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its failure to complete a study of establishing tighter emission standards for cars and light-duty trucks, and the impact that this action would have on the environment and the motoring public. The congressionally mandated study was to be completed by June 1, 1997.

The Sierra Club filed suit in federal court to force the agency to complete the study. Under the Clean Air Act, the EPA was to complete the study as part of a series of initiatives for stricter vehicle emissions standards; however, the EPA is prohibited from requiring more strict standards until 2004 on new vehicles. Among the pollutants that the more stringent standards are expected to reduce are particulate matter and ozone. These two pollutants were recently targeted by new federal regulations issued by the EPA.

EPA finalized the new regulations for ozone and particulate matter on Sept. 18, 1997. The regulations lower the present standard for ozone from 0.12 parts-per-million to 0.08 parts-per-million and target particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter. Although the Clinton administration is committed to the new regulations, it has promised flexible implementation and maximum state involvement. The requirements for fine particulate matter will be delayed for five years until a national monitoring network can be completed and cities will be given extra time to develop plans to reduce pollution.

ASA Washington Representative Bob Redding said, "We look forward to reviewing EPA's completed study; however, ASA is more concerned that the study be accurate than meet some arbitrary deadline."

The Automotive Service Association is the largest not-for-profit trade association of its kind serving more than 12,000 businesses and approximately 55,000 professionals from all segments of the automotive service industry. ASA advances the professionalism and excellence in the automotive repair industry through education, representation and member services.