(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine has asked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to remove language from a proposed rule which takes the unprecedented step of establishing regulations for competitive racing vehicles under the Clean Air Act. DeWine expressed his concerns with the proposed language in a letter to U.S. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy.
"I strongly urge the EPA to remove the language referencing vehicles “used solely for competition” from the final rule," DeWine wrote in his letter. "Not only is this language inconsistent with the federal Clean Air Act, but any measurable benefit from this change would pale in comparison to the economic harm from lost jobs and reduced tax revenues in Ohio."
The U.S. EPA is recently opened a new comment period on a proposed rule regarding "Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Fuel Efficiency Standards for Medium and Heavy-Duty Engines and Vehicles." Buried in the 629-page proposal is a provision which states, "Certified motor vehicles and motor vehicle engines and their emission control devices must remain in their certified configuration even if they are used solely for competition or if they become nonroad vehicles or engines."
In his letter, DeWine notes that, "Statutory language and legislative history clearly show that vehicles used solely for competition, including a race vehicle that has been converted from a certified highway vehicle, are not regulated under the Clean Air Act."
The specialty automotive industry is an important part of of Ohio's and the national economy. In 2014, consumers spent $36 billion on automotive specialty equipment parts and accessories. Ohio is home to Summit Racing Equipment and JEGS High Performance, America’s two largest retailers selling high performance automotive equipment. These companies, as well as many equipment manufacturers and racing venues in Ohio, employ thousands of Ohioans and are responsible for hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity. This proposed rule would damage Ohio’s economy by making many of the products sold and installed by Ohio businesses illegal.
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Documents
Letter to U.S. EPA (PDF)
Media Contacts
Dan Tierney: 614-466-3840
Lisa Hackley: 614-466-3840