Pa. DEP to Help Auto-Body Shops Comply With New Air-Quality Regulations

    HARRISBURG, Pa., March 26 Pa. Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP) Secretary James M. Seif today announced two initiatives to
help the Commonwealth's auto-body shops comply with a new air-quality
regulation.
    DEP has awarded a four-year $500,000 grant to the Pennsylvania College of
Technology in Williamsport, Lycoming County, to take a mobile unit throughout
the state to demonstrate how to comply with the new regulation.  In addition,
DEP is hiring 14 interns this summer to visit auto-body shops, distribute
literature and discuss the regulation.
    "This new regulation will help Pennsylvania's auto-body shops, many of
which are small businesses, save money by using less paint and other
supplies," Secretary Seif said.  "Small businesses play a huge role in our
economy.  This outreach will teach them that the regulation makes good
business sense -- and improves the environment."
    DEP's new regulation requires auto-body shops and other businesses that
spray paint vehicles to use new, more efficient spray guns and clean the guns
in enclosed containers.  Business owners were required to comply by Nov. 27,
2000.
    The $500,000 grant to the Pennsylvania College of Technology will develop
the Pennsylvania Spray Technique Analysis and Research (PennSTAR)
demonstration trailer.  This trailer will be a mobile unit, taken on location
where auto-body shop technicians will get hands-on experience in proper
spraying and cleaning techniques.
    "A properly trained technician, using approved paints, more efficient
spray guns and proper painting techniques, uses fewer supplies," said Al
Thomas, head of the automotive department at Pennsylvania College of
Technology.  "Not only is that better for the environment -- it's good for the
bottom line.  You can comply with this law and make money!"
    PennSTAR will make one to two trips each week to auto-body shops during
the next four years.  The demonstration lasts 12 hours, generally starting on
location at a business on Friday afternoon and concluding Saturday.
    In other outreach to auto-body shops, 14 DEP interns will visit shops
throughout the Commonwealth this summer.  During each visit, they will discuss
the new regulation with shop owners and distribute educational literature.
They also will suggest improvements owners can make, which will help them use
fewer supplies and save money.
    The regulation will help reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds
(VOCs) and hazardous air pollutants.  During hot, stagnant weather, this
pollution "bakes" in the sun and forms ground-level ozone.  Ground-level ozone
makes it hard for some people to breathe and can cause long-term respiratory
problems.
    For more information on the auto-refinishing regulation or ozone, visit
DEP through the PA PowerPort at http://www.state.pa.us or directly at
http://www.dep.state.pa.us (directLINK "auto refinishing" or "ozone").  Free and
confidential information about the new regulation also is available by calling
the ENVIROHELP hotline at 1-800-722-4743.

    CONTACT:  Jeff McCloud, Deputy Press Secretary of the Pennsylvania Dept.
of Environmental Protection, 717-787-1323.