Clean Air Watch Archives - Automotive Service Association - National https://www.asashop.org Tue, 30 Jan 2024 16:06:02 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.1.1 https://growthzonesitesprod.azureedge.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/1406/2019/12/cropped-favicon-32x32.png Clean Air Watch Archives - Automotive Service Association - National https://www.asashop.org 32 32 ASA Launches “Repair Policy Scan Tool” Legislative Newsletter https://www.asashop.org/2024/01/30/asa-launches-repair-policy-scan-tool-legislative-newsletter/ Tue, 30 Jan 2024 16:06:02 +0000 https://www.asashop.org/?p=64880 ASA Launches “Repair Policy Scan Tool” Legislative Newsletter Lawmakers rely on constituent feedback to make good decisions. Staying informed about the laws they are considering that could impact an auto repair shop owner or operator's ability to run a successful business empowers repairers to speak up in crucial moments. But it's hard to keep up…

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ASA Launches “Repair Policy Scan Tool” Legislative Newsletter

Lawmakers rely on constituent feedback to make good decisions. Staying informed about the laws they are considering that could impact an auto repair shop owner or operator's ability to run a successful business empowers repairers to speak up in crucial moments. But it's hard to keep up with the news, especially when your hands are already full with the responsibilities and pressures of running a business. ASA is launching a tool to make it easier.

Every two weeks or so, ASA will send out a new edition of "Repair Policy Scan Tool." Of the thousands of bills introduced each year in Congress and state legislatures, this newsletter will help distill the legislative developments that matter most to auto repair professionals on just one easy to read page.

Click here to read the first installation of Repair Policy Scan Tool!

Click here to sign up to get future Repair Policy Scan Tools emailed to you. 

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]]> UPDATE: EPA Sends Tailpipe Emissions Proposal to White House for Final Review https://www.asashop.org/2024/01/22/epa-sends-tailpipe-emissions-proposal-to-white-house-for-final-review/ Mon, 22 Jan 2024 16:57:59 +0000 https://www.asashop.org/?p=64794 UPDATE: EPA Sends Tailpipe Emissions Proposal to White House for Final Review The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has sent its high profile tailpipe rules proposal to the White House's Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for final review. The proposal's intended impact is for 67 percent of light-vehicles sold in the United States by…

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UPDATE: EPA Sends Tailpipe Emissions Proposal to White House for Final Review

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has sent its high profile tailpipe rules proposal to the White House's Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for final review. The proposal's intended impact is for 67 percent of light-vehicles sold in the United States by 2032 to electric vehicles (EVs). OMB is responsible for overseeing and implementing the President's vision across the executive branch.

Click here to read more about the regulatory proposal. 

UPDATED JAN. 23, 2024:

Sixteen Republican governors signed a joint letter urging President Biden to put an end to efforts to move forward with its tailpipe rules proposal. The governors describe the proposal as "unrealistic", "costly", and a "prescriptive" solution that harms American consumers.

The governors of Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wyoming signed the letter.

Click here to read the full letter. 

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]]> Biden Admin Awards $623 Million in Grants to Expand EV Charging Infrastructure https://www.asashop.org/2024/01/12/biden-admin-awards-623-million-in-grants-to-expand-ev-charging-infrastructure/ Fri, 12 Jan 2024 18:11:10 +0000 https://www.asashop.org/?p=64754 Biden Admin Awards $623 Million in Grants to Expand EV Charging Infrastructure The Biden Administration has announced that it has awarded grants worth a combined $623 million to help expand EV charging infrastructure in the United States. Administered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the grants are funded by the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs…

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Biden Admin Awards $623 Million in Grants to Expand EV Charging Infrastructure

The Biden Administration has announced that it has awarded grants worth a combined $623 million to help expand EV charging infrastructure in the United States.

Administered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the grants are funded by the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which allocated $2.5 billion towards a Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program. Projects aimed at addressing EV charging needs in urban and rural communities received $311 million. Projects aimed at narrowing EV charging service gaps along key roadway corridors received $312 million.

The 47 CFI grants were awarded to recipients in 22 states and Puerto Rico. Examples of projects include:

  • $4.9 million to improve EV charging access in Boulder, Colorado
  • $70 million to build EV charging and hydrogen refueling stations for freight trucks in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin, which will also contribute to a California to Texas hydrogen fueling corridor

Click here for a list of all grant recipients.

Click here to read FHWA's press release. 

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]]> UPDATE: U.S. House to Vote on Imported Material Exception for EV Chargers https://www.asashop.org/2024/01/08/u-s-house-to-vote-on-imported-material-exception-for-ev-chargers/ Mon, 08 Jan 2024 21:15:30 +0000 https://www.asashop.org/?p=64746 UPDATE: U.S. House to Vote on Imported Material Exception for EV Chargers The United States House of Representatives plans to vote this week on a resolution that would nullify a rule - finalized by the Federal Highway Administration - that would temporarily waive certain domestic content requirements for electric vehicle (EV) chargers funded through the…

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UPDATE: U.S. House to Vote on Imported Material Exception for EV Chargers

The United States House of Representatives plans to vote this week on a resolution that would nullify a rule - finalized by the Federal Highway Administration - that would temporarily waive certain domestic content requirements for electric vehicle (EV) chargers funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA). The IIJA provides $7.5 billion for EV charging infrastructure.

Most Republican members of congress support S.J. Res. 38 because a waiver would prolong the U.S.'s EV supply chain reliance on China, they argue. On the other hand, most Democrats argue that eliminating the waiver would actually increase China's footprint by also taking away other domestic sourcing requirements for EV chargers, therefore making it easier to spend taxpayer dollars on Chinese companies.

The U.S. Senate passed S.J. Res. 38 in November with 50 in favor and 48 against. Four Democrats voted in favor and one Republican voted against. President Biden has vowed to veto the resolution if the House sends it to his desk, as is expected.

Click here to read S.J. Res. 38 in its entirety. 

UPDATED JAN. 24, 2024:

President Biden vetoed S.J. Res. 38 after it passed the U.S. House of Representatives with 209 votes in favor and 198 votes against. Two Democrats joined most Republicans in voting yes, while two Republicans joined most Democrats in voting no.

Congress can override the President's veto with a 2/3 majority vote in both the Senate and House, but there aren't likely enough votes in either chamber to override the veto.

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]]> U.S. Senators Raise Alarm on Alleged Tesla Safety Flaws https://www.asashop.org/2024/01/03/u-s-senators-raise-alarm-on-alleged-tesla-safety-flaws/ Wed, 03 Jan 2024 20:07:11 +0000 https://www.asashop.org/?p=64730 U.S. Senators Raise Alarm on Alleged Tesla Safety Flaws United States Senators Ed Markey (D-MA) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) have sent a letter to Elon Musk following a report from Reuters on Tesla vehicles' safety flaws. In their letter, the Senators note that, "[t]he report details complaints about suspension connection points, including fore and aft…

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U.S. Senators Raise Alarm on Alleged Tesla Safety Flaws

United States Senators Ed Markey (D-MA) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) have sent a letter to Elon Musk following a report from Reuters on Tesla vehicles' safety flaws.

In their letter, the Senators note that, "[t]he report details complaints about suspension connection points, including fore and aft links, and sudden losses of power steering - often while a vehicle was in motion." The Reuters report alleges that Tesla privately was aware of these flaws, but publicly cast blame on drivers, including during its engagement with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Tesla has refutes the report's findings. The company stated on Twitter, "The author has conflated a noise-related (non-safety) issue with a range of unrelated and disconnected service actions. Contrary to the article’s statements based on erroneous data, Tesla is truthful and transparent with our safety regulators around the globe and any insinuation otherwise is plain wrong."

Markey and Blumenthal request that Musk provide corrections for the record and commit to providing NHTSA with accurate information moving forward.

Click here to read Senator Markey's and Senator Blumenthal's full letter to Musk

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]]> Progress Towards Building EV Charging Network using Federal Dollars Varies by State https://www.asashop.org/2023/11/28/progress-towards-building-ev-charging-network-using-federal-dollars-varies-by-state/ Tue, 28 Nov 2023 17:02:08 +0000 https://www.asashop.org/?p=64638 Progress Towards Building EV Charging Network using Federal Dollars Varies by State The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed in 2021 allocated $7.5 billion towards building a national EV charging network. Each state assumes responsibility for spending those funds and implementation oversight. As expected, the current status this endeavor varies by state. No EV charger…

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Progress Towards Building EV Charging Network using Federal Dollars Varies by State

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed in 2021 allocated $7.5 billion towards building a national EV charging network. Each state assumes responsibility for spending those funds and implementation oversight. As expected, the current status this endeavor varies by state.

  • No EV charger installed using these federal funds are operational yet.
  • Two states (Ohio and Pennsylvania) have begun construction.
  • Six states (Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maine, and Utah) have awarded contracts for charging sites.
  • Fifteen states (Alabama, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia) and Puerto Rico have solicited bids.
  • Twenty-seven states (Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming) and D.C. haven't begun soliciting bids yet (New York, Nevada, and Vermont are rewarding initial contracts outside of a public bidding process)

Click here to read an in-depth analysis. 

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]]> NJ Approves Zero Emission Vehicles Regulation https://www.asashop.org/2023/11/27/nj-approves-zero-emission-vehicles-regulation/ Mon, 27 Nov 2023 22:50:13 +0000 https://www.asashop.org/?p=64630 NJ Approves Zero Emission Vehicles Regulation New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy (D) announced last week that the state will move forward with adopting California's Advanced Clean Cars Rule II. Beginning in 2027, the regulation will require vehicle manufacturers to produce fleets comprised of a certain percentage of electric vehicles, with that percentage growing each year.…

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NJ Approves Zero Emission Vehicles Regulation

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy (D) announced last week that the state will move forward with adopting California's Advanced Clean Cars Rule II. Beginning in 2027, the regulation will require vehicle manufacturers to produce fleets comprised of a certain percentage of electric vehicles, with that percentage growing each year. All new vehicles a manufacturer produces will have to be EVs by 2035.

Click here to read Governor Murphy's full statement. 

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]]> EPA Excludes MVAC Fluid Recovery from Final Ruling on Hydrofluorocarbons https://www.asashop.org/2023/10/12/epa-excludes-mvac-fluid-recovery-from-final-ruling-on-hydrofluorocarbons/ Thu, 12 Oct 2023 19:24:10 +0000 https://www.asashop.org/?p=64472 EPA Excludes MVAC Fluid Recovery from Final Ruling on Hydrofluorocarbons Yesterday, the EPA released its final rulemaking on the Phasedown of Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs): Management of Certain Hydrofluorocarbons and Substitutes under Section (h) of the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2020. Notably for automotive repairers, the regulation excludes any mention of the recovery/recycling/reclamation of MVAC…

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EPA Excludes MVAC Fluid Recovery from Final Ruling on Hydrofluorocarbons

Yesterday, the EPA released its final rulemaking on the Phasedown of Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs): Management of Certain Hydrofluorocarbons and Substitutes under Section (h) of the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2020. Notably for automotive repairers, the regulation excludes any mention of the recovery/recycling/reclamation of MVAC (motor vehicle air conditioner) refrigerant fluids.

The preamble to the final ruling explicitly states:

“…even though the [American Innovation and Manufacturing] Act grants EPA broad authority to achieve a full transition from regulated substances in a sector or subsector, there are many actions not included within the scope of the restrictions covered by this final rule, including actions associated with steps in the disposal chain such as recovery, recycling, and reclamation of a regulated substance…” (Page 67).

However, regulatory proposals from recovering/recycling/reclaiming MVAC refrigerants could come in the future. The preamble acknowledges that:

“EPA is developing proposed regulations under the authority of subsection (h) of the AIM Act. Subsection (h)(1) of the Act, ‘[f]or purposes of maximizing reclaiming and minimizing the release of a regulated substance from equipment and ensuring the safety of technicians and customers, the Administrator shall promulgate regulations to control, where appropriate, any practice, process, or activity regarding the servicing, repair, disposal, or installation of equipment…that involved: (A) a regulated substance; (B) a substitute for a regulated substance; (C) the reclaiming of a regulated substance used as a refrigerant; or (D) the reclaiming of a substitute for a regulated substance used as a refrigerant.’ Such regulations, if finalized, could increase the level of reclamation in the future.” (Page 151).

ASA will continue monitoring and responding to these regulatory developments.

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]]> U.S. House Passes Bill to Prevent Combustion Engine Bans https://www.asashop.org/2023/09/19/u-s-house-passes-bill-to-prevent-combustion-engine-bans/ Tue, 19 Sep 2023 21:00:26 +0000 https://www.asashop.org/?p=64246 U.S. House Passes Bill to Prevent Combustion Engine Bans Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation that would block states from limiting sales of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. The Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act (H.R. 1435) passed 222-190, with eight Democrats voting in favor. The bill is not expected to progress…

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U.S. House Passes Bill to Prevent Combustion Engine Bans

Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation that would block states from limiting sales of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. The Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act (H.R. 1435) passed 222-190, with eight Democrats voting in favor. The bill is not expected to progress through the Senate. The White House opposes the legislation as well.

The Clean Air Act requires states to receive waivers from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) before they can enact emission standards for new motor vehicles. In May, California requested the EPA provide a waiver for a rule that would phase out the sale of new ICE vehicles by 2035. The EPA has yet to make a decision on whether to grant it.

Click here to read H.R. 1435 in its entirety. 

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]]> EPA Clarifies Agricultural Equipment Repair Rights https://www.asashop.org/2023/08/08/epa-clarifies-agricultural-equipment-repair-rights/ Tue, 08 Aug 2023 15:51:45 +0000 https://www.asashop.org/?p=64108 EPA Clarifies Agricultural Equipment Repair Rights The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has responded to a request from the National Farmers Union (NFU) for clarity on their right to repair agricultural equipment. In its reply letter to the NFU, the EPA confirmed that the Clean Air Act of 1990 prohibits agricultural equipment manufacturers from…

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EPA Clarifies Agricultural Equipment Repair Rights

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has responded to a request from the National Farmers Union (NFU) for clarity on their right to repair agricultural equipment. In its reply letter to the NFU, the EPA confirmed that the Clean Air Act of 1990 prohibits agricultural equipment manufacturers from preventing farmers, or an independent repairer of their choice, from repairing emissions-related components of equipment their.

The EPA noted that manufacturers' service manuals cannot steer equipment owners away from independent repairers. They also made explicit that,"a manufacturer cannot condition its warranty on service by a franchise dealer or someone with which the manufacturer has a commercial relationship. Furthermore, manufacturers must provide a boldface notice on an instruction's first page that, "maintenance, replacement, or repair of the emission control devices and systems may be performed by any automotive repair establishment or individual." Finally, the EPA's letter addressed NFU's concerns about tampering. "The act prohibits anyone from removing or rendering inoperative any device or element of design of the emissions control system in regulated equipment," stated NFU's letter."

Click the following link to read the EPA's letter in its entirety: epa-administrator-michael-regan-responds-to-the-national-farmers-union[11]

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