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Automakers Testify on EPA's Clean 'Autos and Fuel Rule'

9 June 1999

Automakers Testify on EPA's Clean 'Autos and Fuel Rule'

    PHILADELPHIA, June 9 -- The Alliance of Automobile
Manufacturers today presented details of its alternative to the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposed rule on clean vehicle
emissions and clean fuel at a public hearing in Philadelphia.  The Alliance
proposal will improve air quality in major urban areas to the same or greater
extent as EPA's proposed "Tier 2" rule.
    "Through even cleaner automobile technology combined with clean fuel, the
impact to air in the nation from the Alliance proposal would be equivalent to
removing 54 million cars from the road," said Josephine S. Cooper, President,
Alliance for Automobile Manufacturers.  "The impact of this clean autos and
fuel rule in Philadelphia would be equivalent to removing 1.9 million cars
from the road.  That's equivalent to removing one in every four vehicles from
the road in Pennsylvania or one of every three vehicles in New Jersey."
    Cooper, whose 10-member association includes automakers from around the
world, testified on the first day of hearings by EPA.  The Agency is seeking
public comment on its "Tier 2" vehicle emissions and fuel rule, which was
proposed on May 1, 1999 and is expected to be finalized by the end of the
year.  The Alliance proposal for a vehicle emissions and fuel rule would
reduce tailpipe emissions of nitrogen oxides from passenger cars, sport
utility vehicles, minivans and pick-up trucks, as well as reduce sulfur in
gasoline to produce a cleaner burning fuel.
    In her remarks at the public hearing, Cooper noted that automakers have
repeatedly demonstrated a commitment to cleaner air.  Most recently,
automakers volunteered to substantially reduce emissions through their
National Low Emissions Vehicle (NLEV) initiative.  This program achieves
greater vehicle emissions than EPA could have required under their authority
granted by the Clean Air Act.
    "The auto industry will provide cleaner-running vehicles to all 50 states
based on technology originally developed to meet California's strict emissions
and fuel control," said Cooper.  California currently has a clean autos and
fuel rule in place.
    The Alliance is supporting elements of EPA's proposed rule that are
consistent with the plan proposed by automakers in March 1999.  Cooper made
five key points before the EPA panel:
    1.    Automakers are committed to implementing advancements in clean air
technology while still offering vehicles that meet consumer demand for quality
and functionality.
    2.    Fuels and autos operate as one system and must be addressed in
unison.  Near-zero sulfur fuels are needed to enable the introduction of
technology required to meet the tough new standards.
    3.    Automakers need enough flexibility in the timeline to allow for the
invention of the technologies necessary to make performance against new
standards a reality.
    4.    EPA must conduct an evaluation study midway through the
implementation period to ensure that the standards are still seen as
attainable.
    5.    EPA needs to ensure that the final rule continues to foster the
development of and ready access to advanced technology, such as "lean burn"
engines that greatly increase fuel efficiency.

    The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers is a coalition of car and light
truck manufacturers.  Member companies are BMW, DaimlerChrysler, Fiat, Ford,
General Motors, Mazda, Nissan, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo.  The Alliance is
dedicated to improving vehicle safety and environmental progress.  Alliance
member companies have more than 642,000 employees in the United States, with
255 manufacturing facilities in 33 states.  Alliance members represent more
than 90 percent of U.S. vehicle sales.