[T3] California law requiring 150,000 old cars scrapped/year

[El guapÛ¤Î|oy@ucdavis.edu>]

Hi All,

I just wanted to re-post something I got off of another list that
concerns us California old car drivers.  

This is also important to other states, as it seems that California
has set the pace in the past when it comes to air resources manage-
ment.

PLEASE WRITE YOUR CONGRESSMAN/STATE SENATOR.

The address is inside the yellow pages, and its surprising how surprised
they are that someone actually writes them.
I wrote regarding the present mud wrestling match, and I got a a very
nice hand written reply: very impressive.

Thanks again.  Sorry if this is a bit long (Let me know if this is
resented by others to whom it may not apply)

Eduardo

January 1999


Collector Cars at Risk with California Scrappage Vote

  Despite heavy opposition from California automobile enthusiasts, SEMA
and other interested parties, the California Air Resources Board (CARB)
approvedamendments instituting a very aggressive scrappage program 
across California. Under this new regulation, CARB will crush and 
destroy 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. The corresponding loss, 
in terms of irreplaceable parts and vehicles needed by vehicle
enthusiasts, will be significant.
  In approving this proposal, CARB flatly disregarded California law (S.B.
501) mandating that all scrappage programs allow for parts recycling.
Under the new regulations, the only way a hobbyist or ‡$˜õcome
individual can obtain a necessary part would be to buy the entire car
before it's crushed. Most disappointing, CARB did not consider a proven
alternative to scrappage "voluntary repair and upgrade "where older
vehicles are 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, which
achieves emissions reductions at half the cost of typical scrappage
programs.
        The 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
cleanerrunning 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
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 VP of Government Affairs Chris Kersting said, "SEMA is
disappointed CARB is disregarding the law regarding parts recycling and is
ignoring proof that scrappage programs are fatally flawed. The association
is working car clubs and other interested parties to determine the best
response to the CARB's decision. Our options include introducing
legislation and/or bringing legal action challenging the final
regulations."

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