From the SEMA Washington, D.C., office
The California Energy Commission (CEC) has placed its proposed replacement tire efficiency regulations on the agenda for its Monday, August 17, business meeting, bringing the controversial regulation one step closer to final adoption.
SEMA is urging automotive aftermarket businesses, tire manufacturers, retailers and enthusiasts to participate remotely and tell commissioners how the proposal could affect tire affordability, consumer choice and access to specialty tires.
The CEC revised the proposal in July following months of opposition from SEMA and a broad coalition of industry stakeholders. Those changes delayed implementation and created or expanded exemptions for several specialty-tire categories, including competition tires, qualifying winter tires and certain large off-road tires. However, significant concerns remain.
Among them, SEMA remains concerned that the regulation could increase tire costs and reduce the range of affordable replacement tires available to California consumers. The proposed competition-tire exemption also remains too narrow and could leave legitimate motorsports tires subject to standards designed for ordinary passenger tires.
Make Your Voice Heard
The CEC business meeting will be held Monday, August 17, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. PDT. Members of the public may participate remotely through Zoom (Meeting ID: 886 5692 5780; Passcode: energy)
SEMA encourages industry members to join the meeting and respectfully urge commissioners to address the regulation's remaining impacts on consumers, small businesses and specialty tire availability before moving forward.
For more information or assistance preparing comments for the meeting, contact SEMA’s Senior Director of State Government Affairs Christian Robinson at christianr@sema.org.
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