Contact:	Bob Redding (202) 543-1440
For Release:	Immediate News Bulletin 98.28 March 26, 1998

EPA Withdraws Flexible Ozone Rule

Washington D.C., March 26, 1998 - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has withdrawn a rule that would have phased in the new standard for ozone by allowing certain areas to comply with the old one-hour standard. Areas that had not met the one-hour standard would not be required to meet the new eight-hour standard until they meet the old standard. The EPA finalized new regulations for ozone and particulate matter on Sept. 18, 1997. The new standards 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. President Clinton promised flexible implementation of the new regulations.

In response to President Clinton's directive, on Jan. 16, 1998 the EPA announced that the old one-hour standard would only be revoked in those areas that had met the standard. In all other areas, the one-hour standard would continue to apply until they met that standard. Once an area met the one-hour standard, it would be revoked and the new eight-hour standard would be implemented.

In response to comments it received, the EPA withdrew the rule. The Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, for example, was concerned that "retaining two ozone standards increases the planning requirements on states and local governments responsible for developing and implementing plans to attain these standards" and "the Clean Air Act does not authorize EPA to adopt a national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) that ceases to apply when it is attained." The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) also questioned the legality of EPA's action.

Automotive Service Association (ASA) Washington Representative Bob Redding said, "The jury is still out on whether EPA will adhere to the President's 1998 directive. As EPA develops geographic analyses of non-attainment areas and states submit draft implementation plans, flexibility will be the centerpiece. This will be the critical junction for repairers."

The Automotive Service Association is the largest not-for-profit trade association of its kind, serving more than 13,000 businesses and approximately 60,000 professionals from all segments of the automotive service industry. ASA is headquartered 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).