Press Release CA

[cookiedan@domain.elided (Daniel Nees)]

From SEMA
++++++++++++++++++++++

CARB IGNORES PARTS RECYCLING LAW, APPROVES SCRAPPAGE
	Despite heavy opposition from SEMA and other interested parties,
the California Air Resources Board (CARB) recently approved final
regulations instituting an aggressive scrappage program across the
state. Under this new regulation, CARB will crush up to 150,000 cars a
year for 10 years to meet emissions reduction goals. The regulations
will not allow for salvage or recycling of any vehicle parts or engines.
SEMA believes that CARB has disregarded California law mandating that
parts be recycled under the agency's scrappage programs. Under the new
regulations, the only way a hobbyist or a low-income individual could
obtain a necessary part would be to buy the entire car before it's
crushed. According to SEMA, CARB chose not to consider a proven
alternative to scrappage – voluntary repair and upgrade. A program of
repair and upgrade allows older vehicles to be voluntarily submitted for
repair and installation of emissions upgrade retrofit equipment. "CARB
gave no attention to a San Diego Air Pollution Control District pilot
"Repair/Upgrade" program that achieves emissions reductions at one half
the cost of typical scrappage programs," said SEMA Vice President of
Government Affairs Chris Kersting, who testified against the proposal.
	CARB also chose to ignore the facts concerning real-world
scrappage programs: (1) CARB does no testing to prove emissions
reductions are achieved with scrappage or that vehicles scrapped are
replaced by cleaner running vehicles; (2) These programs fail to
recognize that many cars turned in for scrappage can barely run or
cannot pass smog inspections and that the programs themselves are
susceptible to fraud; (3) The CARB scrappage program disregards the
needs of hobbyists and low-income families who rely on the availability
of older vehicles and recycled parts; and (4) Regulatory agencies cannot
justify crushing cars when more cost effective and environmentally sound
programs, such as voluntary repair and upgrade, exist.
"SEMA is most concerned that CARB is disregarding the law on parts
recycling and is ignoring proof that scrappage programs are fatally
flawed," said Kersting. "The association is working with car clubs and
other interested parties to determine the best response to the CARB
decision. Options include introducing legislation and/or bringing legal
action challenging the final regulations."

_____Dan Nees_____
cookiedan@domain.elided

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