The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has denied California’s waiver request to regulate carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from automobiles starting in 2009. The CO2 rules were issued by the California Air Resources Board and adopted by 12 other states. The EPA overturned the regulations on the same day that President Bush signed into law an energy bill to raise the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Standards for passenger cars and light trucks by 40% to an industry average of 35 miles per gallon by 2020. SEMA worked with the automakers and other industry associations as part of the CAFE Coalition to help negotiate a compromise to the new fuel economy standard.

Under the new federal law, the amount of renewable fuel used will increase to at least 36 billion gallons. According to the EPA, the new CAFE law and renewable fuel provisions will achieve greater greenhouse gas savings than the California program. Additionally, the federal approach provides a national solution, as opposed to a potential patchwork of state rules.
 
Under the Clean Air Act, California may seek a waiver to establish its own air quality rules (which can then be adopted by other states). This is the first time the EPA has completely rejected a waiver request. The agency noted that previous waiver petitions covered pollutants that predominantly impacted local and regional air quality. The EPA reasoned that a national framework for addressing greenhouse gases is necessary since the emissions are global in nature and impact every state.

California intends to appeal the EPA decision. Additionally, the Supreme Court recently directed the EPA to study the problem of greenhouse gases, paving a path to for EPA to potentially recommend even more stringent regulations if, in consultation with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, it deems them necessary.

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org

As a SEMA member, one of your most important opportunities is to help identify industry leaders to serve on the SEMA Board of Directors. Our industry has many talented individuals, but oftentimes those talents aren’t immediately apparent to the committee that is responsible for selecting the final candidates. So please, take a moment to tell us about whom you would recommend as a potential nominee. We also welcome self-nominations; they are often the best information we get because we receive background, experience and visionary information straight from the source.

Nominations for the 2008 SEMA Board of Directors election are due no later than Tuesday, January 15, 2008. Complete the nomination form located here and submit it to Nominating Task Force Chairman Bill Perry at bpaabp@aol.com or liaison Christine Papavero at christineb@sema.org. Please be sure to include background/qualifications on the nominee(s).

Filler for eNews

Registration for SEMA Spring Expo and SEMA OFFROAD, February 8–9, 2008, in Indianapolis, is in full swing and available for attendees online by visiting www.semaspringexpo.com and www.semaoffroad.com. The spring events deliver the acclaimed SEMA Show experience to the Indianapolis area and surrounding regions. With a special emphasis on trucks and SUVs, exhibitors will display a variety of products and services covering accessories, restyling, wheels and tires, and mobile electronics.

Both shows are sponsored by the Light-Truck Accessory Alliance (TORA) and Professional Restylers Organization (PRO). For more information about TORA, click here or e-mail Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org. For more information about PRO, click here or e-mail Ellen McKoy at ellenm@sema.org.

The 14th Annual Creative Styling & Trim Awards Competition will be hosted once again by General Motors during the SEMA Spring Expo (SSE) and will feature five GM divisions—Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Hummer and Pontiac.

Open to restylers, installers, truck accessory retailers and SSE exhibitors, the competition showcases and recognizes installer ingenuity, craftsmanship and creativity.

Awards will be presented in the following categories:

• best overall interior design/car or truck
• best graphic design/passenger car or truck
• best exterior design/passenger car or truck
• best of show

There is no fee to enter, however, all entries must be current-production model Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Hummer or Pontiac vehicles, cars or trucks. Vehicles will be judged by a GM design team on February 8, with the awards presentation slated for Friday evening during the TORA/PRO Industry Awards Reception.

For more information or to receive a contest entry form, e-mail Beverlyr@sema.org. All entries must be received by Friday, January 18.

The SEMA Spring Expo and SEMA OFFROAD are set for February 8–9 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. For details on the shows, visit www.semaspringexpo.com or www.semaoffroad.com.  

Volvo intentionally made the C30 an options- and specialty-equipment-friendly car.

SEMA members: Ford is now accepting proposals for companies that would like to build a Ford-based project vehicle. This year's program includes new 2009 models—The Ford Flex and F-150 and the Mercury MKS. For proposal criteria and submission deadline, visit www.sema.org/oem, and click on the 2008 Ford Project Vehicle Program link under the Ford logo. For additional information on project-vehicle programs, contact Bill Wolf at billw@sema.org.

For those who may have missed the debut of the Discovery Channel’s SEMA Show one-hour special last week, the show is re-airing tonight, Thursday, December 20. Visit TLC's website here for times and details.

You may also want to check out the Discovery Network’s online coverage of the SEMA Show here. The site is filled with cool photos, videos and an interactive quiz.

Filler for eNews

Filler for eNews