SEMA is supporting legislation in the Colorado State Legislature to extend the emissions inspection exemption to vehicles that have not yet reached their eighth model year. Current law only exempts vehicles that are four model years old or newer. Colorado already exempts pre-’76 collector cars, kits and street rods from emissions testing. The logic for this trend is clear—such vehicles do not contribute in significant ways to air quality problems. This logic applies equally to newer cars.  

More information is available. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

SEMA is supporting legislation in the Colorado State Legislature to extend the emissions inspection exemption to vehicles that have not yet reached their eighth model year. Current law only exempts vehicles that are four model years old or newer. Colorado already exempts pre-’76 collector cars, kits and street rods from emissions testing. The logic for this trend is clear—such vehicles do not contribute in significant ways to air quality problems. This logic applies equally to newer cars.  

More information is available. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

The U.S. House Science Committee approved a SEMA-supported bill that directs the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a scientific assessment on how gasoline blended with 15% to 20% ethanol (E15 and E20) may impact gasoline-powered engines, vehicles and related equipment. The analysis would consider a variety of issues, including tailpipe and evaporative emissions, impact on OBD systems, materials compatibility and fuel efficiency. The House bill would prevent the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from introducing E15 into the marketplace until the report has been submitted to the House Science Committee. The National Academy of Sciences would have 18 months to conduct its analysis. 

SEMA opposes E15 based on scientific evidence that it causes corrosion with incompatible parts. Ethanol increases water formation, which can then create formic acid and corrode metals, plastics and rubber. In 2009, the ethanol industry asked the EPA for a waiver to sell E15. In November 2010, the EPA approved a partial waiver to allow use in 2007 and newer vehicles. The waiver was expanded in January 2011 to include 2001 and newer vehicles. 

Nevertheless, the EPA agreed with SEMA’s concerns and made it “illegal to fuel pre-2001 vehicles” with E15. Last summer, the EPA issued a rule requiring all gas stations to place an orange and black label on fuel pumps dispensing E15. The label will warn consumers not to use the fuel in vehicles older than model year 2001 since it could cause damage. Still, it is still illegal to sell E15. The ethanol industry must first “register” the fuel with the EPA by demonstrating that the fuel will not damage storage tanks, hoses and other portions of the distribution system. 

Several lawsuits have also been filed to overturn the EPA’s decision to allow the sale of E15. It may take months or years to resolve the suits and E15 sales may be blocked until the suits are decided. 

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org. 

The U.S. House Science Committee approved a SEMA-supported bill that directs the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a scientific assessment on how gasoline blended with 15% to 20% ethanol (E15 and E20) may impact gasoline-powered engines, vehicles and related equipment. The analysis would consider a variety of issues, including tailpipe and evaporative emissions, impact on OBD systems, materials compatibility and fuel efficiency. The House bill would prevent the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from introducing E15 into the marketplace until the report has been submitted to the House Science Committee. The National Academy of Sciences would have 18 months to conduct its analysis. 

SEMA opposes E15 based on scientific evidence that it causes corrosion with incompatible parts. Ethanol increases water formation, which can then create formic acid and corrode metals, plastics and rubber. In 2009, the ethanol industry asked the EPA for a waiver to sell E15. In November 2010, the EPA approved a partial waiver to allow use in 2007 and newer vehicles. The waiver was expanded in January 2011 to include 2001 and newer vehicles. 

Nevertheless, the EPA agreed with SEMA’s concerns and made it “illegal to fuel pre-2001 vehicles” with E15. Last summer, the EPA issued a rule requiring all gas stations to place an orange and black label on fuel pumps dispensing E15. The label will warn consumers not to use the fuel in vehicles older than model year 2001 since it could cause damage. Still, it is still illegal to sell E15. The ethanol industry must first “register” the fuel with the EPA by demonstrating that the fuel will not damage storage tanks, hoses and other portions of the distribution system. 

Several lawsuits have also been filed to overturn the EPA’s decision to allow the sale of E15. It may take months or years to resolve the suits and E15 sales may be blocked until the suits are decided. 

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org. 

Here is a collection of more than 100 Jeeps on display at the 2011 SEMA Show. The photos are part of a larger gallery of 1,800+ vehicles on display at the event. The website, www.semaphotos.com, also features Show photos of celebrities, press conferences, exterior displays, products and much more.

Here is a collection of more than 100 Jeeps on display at the 2011 SEMA Show. The photos are part of a larger gallery of 1,800+ vehicles on display at the event. The website, www.semaphotos.com, also features Show photos of celebrities, press conferences, exterior displays, products and much more.

	SEMA's next Town Hall meeting will be hosted by Winners Circle Speed & Custom Inc. in St. Charles, Illinois, February 24.

SEMA is resuming its Town Hall Meeting tour for 2012, starting Friday, February 24, in St. Charles, Illinois. This initiative was launched last year as an opportunity for SEMA staff to meet face-to-face with members to discuss the state of the industry, identify benefits to enhance members' busines operations, receive feedback about how to better meet their needs and more. The meetings also provide members with the opportunity to learn about the association's current programs and objectives while networking with automotive aftermarket professionals from the same geographic region.

Throughout the first six months of 2011, SEMA staff visited Scottsdale, Arizona; Fort Worth, Texas; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Tacoma, Washington, hosting successful small gatherings of members in those areas.

Winners Circle Speed & Custom Inc. employees will host the first meeting of 2012, which will be held in St. Charles, Illinois., at the Pheasant Run Resort, Friday, February 24, from 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.

Local and prospective members will gather at Pheasant Run Resort during the Race & Performance Expo for an evening of networking with local industry leaders and SEMA staff to share the challenges and opportunities facing participant’s business.

For more information, contact AJ Carney at 909-978-6697 or visit www.sema.org/townhall/st-charles for the agenda and to RSVP.

	SEMA's next Town Hall meeting will be hosted by Winners Circle Speed & Custom Inc. in St. Charles, Illinois, February 24.

SEMA is resuming its Town Hall Meeting tour for 2012, starting Friday, February 24, in St. Charles, Illinois. This initiative was launched last year as an opportunity for SEMA staff to meet face-to-face with members to discuss the state of the industry, identify benefits to enhance members' busines operations, receive feedback about how to better meet their needs and more. The meetings also provide members with the opportunity to learn about the association's current programs and objectives while networking with automotive aftermarket professionals from the same geographic region.

Throughout the first six months of 2011, SEMA staff visited Scottsdale, Arizona; Fort Worth, Texas; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Tacoma, Washington, hosting successful small gatherings of members in those areas.

Winners Circle Speed & Custom Inc. employees will host the first meeting of 2012, which will be held in St. Charles, Illinois., at the Pheasant Run Resort, Friday, February 24, from 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.

Local and prospective members will gather at Pheasant Run Resort during the Race & Performance Expo for an evening of networking with local industry leaders and SEMA staff to share the challenges and opportunities facing participant’s business.

For more information, contact AJ Carney at 909-978-6697 or visit www.sema.org/townhall/st-charles for the agenda and to RSVP.

	The YEN Industry Awards Reception at the SEMA Show is the premier networking opportunity for those employed and active in the automotive aftermarket.

The SEMA Young Executives Network (YEN) extends an invitation to all staff under the age of 40 who work for a SEMA-member company to join the committee. YEN membership is a no-cost benefit to staff of SEMA-member companies who are under the age of 40. Along with the advantage of becoming actively involved in SEMA, the YEN delivers several distinct benefits, including:

Networking: The YEN offers young executives a chance to listen, learn and share their opinions through virtual networking and face-to-face interactions at industry trade events. Through mixers focused on networking with nearly 1,000 prominent and accomplished young executives, members can gain valuable insight and access to specific automotive aftermarket niches, as well as a variety of industry segments. YEN's efforts also provide members with access to key influencers and the movers and shakers of the industry through special YEN-sponsored events. 

Educational Access: The YEN has assembled content-specific educational programming for young executives looking to create new opportunities and expand their career through the YEN education sub-committee endeavors and SEMA Education Institute (SEI) initiatives.

Promotional Opportunities: Recognition is at the core of establishing a young executive’s individual brand. The YEN specializes in finding current and future young executives who have proven to be a tremendous force in the automotive aftermarket industry. YEN members are recognized and promoted through the committee's awards program, YEN Member of the Month editorial and YEN-sponsored articles in SEMA eNews. The YEN Member of the Month editorial piece featured in SEMA eNews, as well as on SEMA.org and a variety of social networking sites, garners a subscription of more than 100,000 industry professionals.

This month's YEN Member Spotlight features John Marshall of Power Slot.

If you are already a SEMA member, join YEN now.

	The YEN Industry Awards Reception at the SEMA Show is the premier networking opportunity for those employed and active in the automotive aftermarket.

The SEMA Young Executives Network (YEN) extends an invitation to all staff under the age of 40 who work for a SEMA-member company to join the committee. YEN membership is a no-cost benefit to staff of SEMA-member companies who are under the age of 40. Along with the advantage of becoming actively involved in SEMA, the YEN delivers several distinct benefits, including:

Networking: The YEN offers young executives a chance to listen, learn and share their opinions through virtual networking and face-to-face interactions at industry trade events. Through mixers focused on networking with nearly 1,000 prominent and accomplished young executives, members can gain valuable insight and access to specific automotive aftermarket niches, as well as a variety of industry segments. YEN's efforts also provide members with access to key influencers and the movers and shakers of the industry through special YEN-sponsored events. 

Educational Access: The YEN has assembled content-specific educational programming for young executives looking to create new opportunities and expand their career through the YEN education sub-committee endeavors and SEMA Education Institute (SEI) initiatives.

Promotional Opportunities: Recognition is at the core of establishing a young executive’s individual brand. The YEN specializes in finding current and future young executives who have proven to be a tremendous force in the automotive aftermarket industry. YEN members are recognized and promoted through the committee's awards program, YEN Member of the Month editorial and YEN-sponsored articles in SEMA eNews. The YEN Member of the Month editorial piece featured in SEMA eNews, as well as on SEMA.org and a variety of social networking sites, garners a subscription of more than 100,000 industry professionals.

This month's YEN Member Spotlight features John Marshall of Power Slot.

If you are already a SEMA member, join YEN now.