The Automotive Service Association (ASA) reports that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published a final rule after finding many states failed to submit state implementation plans (SIPs) as required by the EPA’s 1997 Eight-hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The EPA originally set a June 15, 2007, deadline for SIP submission.

The EPA has begun to send letters with details of possible sanctions to officials in California, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and Wisconsin for their failure to submit acceptable SIPs to show how they will attain the 1997 standard. This ruling comes after the EPA has again tightened the standard from 0.084 parts per million (ppm) to a new level of 0.075 ppm. This standard falls between the present standard and that proposed by California.

The action is effective as of March 24, 2008. In 18 months, the EPA will ensure that the states in question have submitted their state implementation plans. If not, the state will face sanctions requiring new or modified sources to offset double the amount that they have exceeded in emissions levels. If states fail to comply within two years, they may lose federal highway funds and the EPA will impose a federal implementation plan.

The Automotive Service Association is the largest not-for-profit trade association of its kind dedicated to and governed by independent automotive service and repair professionals. ASA serves an international membership base that includes numerous affiliate, state and chapter groups from both the mechanical and collision repair segments of the automotive service industry. ASA's headquarters is in Bedford, Texas. ASA advances professionalism and excellence in the automotive repair industry through education, representation and member services. For additional information about ASA, including past news releases, go to www.ASAshop.org, or visit ASA's legislative Web site at www.TakingTheHill.com.