Air quality is an increasingly important issue to the automotive repair community. Legislation and policies designed to improve air quality often have far-reaching effects on automotive service facilities.

ASA supports a number of clean air initiatives, as referenced in the association's Official Position Statements.

To track current federal legislation on air quality, click here.

Following are additional references ASA believes are important to the air quality debate.

Colorado Proposes More Changes to Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program
A public hearing is set for December 2008 to discuss the ozone action plan and the state implementation plan. In addtion, changes are being proposed to meet the U.S. EPA’s new ozone standards to reduce VOC emissions.

Read the proposed changes that will by considered by the Colorado Air Commission on Oct. 16, 2008.

View the agenda for the Colorado Air Commission hearing scheduled for December 2008.

Map of State Recommendations and EPA Responses for Nonattainment Areas
To review the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) responses to state recommendations for nonattainment areas, click here.

Florida Proposes to Adopt California Vehicle Emissions Standards; Super Warranty Excluded
To review the Florida Environmental Regulation Commission's briefing on adopting California's motor vehicle emissions standards, click here.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a new proposed Auto Refinishing Regulation. This regulation proposes national emission standards for area sources engaged in paint stripping and various surface coating operations.

To view the proposed rule and fact sheet, click on these links: Propose Rule, Fact Sheet

ASA members have reviewed the proposed auto refinishing regulation. To view comments submitted by ASA to the U.S. EPA, click here. 

Log In to the Member's Section and click on "Collision Division Tools" to download ASA's Paint Regulation Compliance Summary.

Not a member? Click here for more reasons to join the leading organization for owners and managers of automotive service businesses!

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is releasing a new resource, A Business Guide to U.S. EPA Climate Partnership Programs, that features profiles on 35 EPA climate-change related partnership programs, as well as a table so companies can look up programs most appropriate for their industry and business objectives. Each program profile defines the environmental value delivered by the program and the business case for participating, such as cost savings, operational efficiency, reduced business risk, new or expanded markets, enhanced reputation and brand protection.

For copies of this guide and for more information, visit www.epa.gov/partners.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) held a meeting in June 2008 to brief the Environmental Regulation Commission (ERC) on its rule development project for the adoption of the California motor vehicle emissions standards.

During the update, the DEP announced that the proposed regulation will not include the California Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) standards. The extended warranty will also be excluded from the proposed regulations. The DEP also established a timeline for the implementation of new GHG rules. To view the presentation, click here.

Previous workshop materials and public comments received to date on this rule project are available on the Florida DEP Web site.

The Ozone Transportation Committee (OTC) held its annual meeting last week to discuss upcoming initiatives for 2008-2009. During the meeting, OTC members referenced the new CARB Suggested Control Measure (SCM) for Automotive Coatings and made plans to consider the rule and its possible implementation in the OTC member states.

New volatile organic compound (VOC) regulations were approved in California in 2006. The regulations for the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) in the Los Angeles area will go into effect July 1, 2008. Additional regulations will be phased in over the following two years.  

Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano vetoed HB 2017 that attempted to block state agencies from enacting vehicle emissions regulations without specific legislative authorization from the Arizona legislature. Gov. Napolitano released a letter addressed to Arizona Speaker of the House Jim Weiers in which she justified the veto. To view the letter, click here. 

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) published its proposed regulation aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cars.

However, the clean car standards proposed also contain warranty provisions that ASA believes will have a long-term negative effect on Arizona independent automotive repairers. To view the text of this bill, click here. (408 KB .pdf document) To see the full release from ASA, click here.

Related information:
• ASA-Arizona Chairman Submits Comments on Arizona Clean Car Program
• ASA Testifies in Opposition to Super Warranties
• Arizona Regulatory Council Approves Clean Car Rules

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has published a final clean car emission regulation placing stringent requirements on Pennsylvania automotive dealers as to the sale of low-emission vehicles beginning with model year 2008. Click here to read the regulation. 

The Low Carbon Economy Act has been introduced in the U.S. Senate. To read the text of the Act, click here . To view other climate related bills pending in the Senate, click on these links: Senate Bill 280, Senate Bill 309, Senate Bill 485