AG Strange: New EPA Rule Would Hurt Alabama’s Racing Economy
Alabama is joining eight other states petitioning the federal government to drop a proposal banning the modification of street vehicles into off-road race cars.
Attorney General Luther Strange announced he is calling on the Environmental Protection Agency to drop a proposed change to the Clean Air Act.
The new rule would forbid the modification of certified motor vehicles, engines and emission control devices even if they were used solely for competition or non-road vehicles.
Strange calls the proposed rule an example of federal overreach, and says it will hurt Alabama’s car racing business and culture.
“In another example of federal bureaucrats seeking to expand their regulatory reach, the EPA is pushing a proposed change to the federal Clean Air Act to effectively prohibit street vehicles from being converted into off-road race cars,” says Strange.
“In Alabama and across the country, modifying race cars is a popular pastime and a significant contributor to the economy,” Strange continues. “In 2014, $36 billion was spent nationally on automotive specialty equipment parts and accessories. Off-road racing parts businesses which sell their products in Alabama and elsewhere, as well as local racetracks, would be adversely affected by the implementation of the new EPA rule.”
In a statement to Road And Track, EPA spokeswoman Laura Allen clarified the federal government’s language.
“People may use EPA-certified motor vehicles for competition, but to protect public health from air pollution, the Clean Air Act has – since its inception – specifically prohibited tampering with or defeating the emission control systems on those vehicles,” Allen says. “The proposed regulation does not change this long-standing law, or approach.”
“Instead, the proposed language in the Heavy-Duty Greenhouse Gas rulemaking simply clarifies the distinction between motor vehicles and nonroad vehicles such as dirt bikes and snowmobiles. Unlike motor vehicles – which include cars, light trucks, and highway motorcycles – nonroad vehicles may, under certain circumstances, be modified for use in competitive events in ways that would otherwise be prohibited by the Clean Air Act,” says Allen.
Other states calling for an end to this proposal are Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, and West Virginia.
‘Rocky Horror’ is 50! We propose a toast. (You know what to do)
Rocky Horror aficionados used to attend screenings of the film over and over to take notes on the details. Accurately mirroring every line and dance move has gotten easier over time.
NPR-Ipsos poll: Americans don’t broadly support Trump’s National Guard deployments
Americans are concerned about crime, but don't broadly support President Trump's deployment of the National Guard to U.S. cities, according to a new NPR-IPSOS poll.
Cardi B confronts 7 years of expectation, with quantity her weapon of choice
On her sophomore release, Am I the Drama?, the trash-talking Bronx rapper still has no filter — but could, perhaps, have used an editor.
How a Toledo tattoo artist helps turn scars into art
Brian Finn is a tattoo artist in Toledo, Ohio who has been offering free and discounted tattoos for people covering trauma scars for more than 10 years.
How the beloved state fair grew from livestock showcases to cornucopias of amusement
The state fair dates back to the 1800s, and its agricultural roots go back even further. Ever since, states have been putting their own spin on the annual event while staying true to tradition.
As federal funds wane, NPR ruefully clashes with CPB
NPR asked a federal judge to block CPB from awarding a $57.9 million grant to a new consortium of public media institutions to operate the satellite that connects the public radio system.
