NGV America supports UHP on EPA Certifications

[Lancer Automotive Group]

Lawsuit Challenges Utah’s Effort to Enforce Certification Requirements

Last week, a lawsuit was filed to prevent Utah’s Department of Public Safety from implementing new safety inspection procedures that require inspectors to fail NGVs equipped with conversion systems that have not been certified by U.S. EPA or the California Air Resources Board. The plaintiffs in the case include Natural Solutions, Naturell LLC, Technocarb and several other parties. The lawsuit contends that the inspection procedures and requirements for converted vehicles amount to a new rule and that state officials did not follow the proper procedures in adopting these requirements. The lawsuit further challenges linking certification to safety enforcement. The complaint essentially argues that compliance with emission certification requirements does not ensure that that installation of conversion equipment is done in a safe manner. The plaintiffs have asked the court to issue a permanent injunction preventing the state from enforcing the new requirements.

NGVAmerica’s position is that alternative fuel conversions should comply with all federal standards – including EPA’s emission requirements. That’s the law. EPA rules essentially require all converted motor vehicles to be equipped with a certified system. A number of our member companies have certified conversion systems to the EPA requirements and the sale of non-certified systems undermines the efforts of these companies and the efforts of others to bring more certified vehicles to market. Businesses that have taken the step to achieve certification generally also take steps to ensure that the equipment they sell meets federal safety requirements, and that the installers that sell their systems are properly trained. Many of our member companies have expressed concern that the sale and use of non-certified systems (including systems sold over the Internet) increases the likelihood that some conversions could be done in a manner that is unsafe. Recently in Utah, an apparently unqualified installer imperiled an entire family by just such an installation.

Safety has always been our industry’s paramount concern. The US NGV safety standards are among the most stringent in the world, and the US NGV industry has enviable safety record. Any action or program that potentially undermines NGV safety must be evaluated very closely. NGVAmerica and CVEF currently are working with ASE to develop a certification test for conversion system installers. For more information on this issue, contact Jeff Clarke 202.824.7364 or [email protected].

Richard Kolodziej, President

NGVAmerica

400 N. Capitol St. NW

Washington, DC 20001

Phone: 202/824-7366

Fax: 202/824-7087

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.ngvamerica.org

[kim1]

Re: NGV America supports UHP on EPA Certifications

The lawsuit is posted on this site, and it does not contest legitimate safety rules including those which were passed without the required procedures. It simply takes the position that EPA certification is not a safety issue. The other suit (Agency Action) is the one that takes the position that it is indeed legal to convert a vehicle to CNG even if it is not EPA certified it is currently pending before the Utah Air board. By way of example, It seems a little ridiculous that a 2003 Chevy Suburban with an EPA certified kit is legal in 2003, yet the same Kit is not legal for installation today. What possible correlation does that have to safety. NGV America should have read both suits before taking that position. Moreover, the lawsuit does not challenge the emission requirements that these vehicles are required to pass each year for registration

[younkin]

Re: NGV America supports UHP on EPA Certifications

NGVAmerica’s position is that alternative fuel conversions should comply with all federal standards – including EPA’s emission requirements. That’s the law. (An ambiguous and confusing law) EPA rules essentially require all converted motor vehicles to be equipped with a certified system. (The system is certified not the high pressure tank and fittings.) A number of our member companies have certified conversion systems to the EPA requirements and the sale of non-certified systems undermines the efforts (and their profits) of these companies and the efforts of others to bring more certified vehicles to market. (If we all waited for EPA kits only the rich would be able to afford CNG Conversions.)Businesses that have taken the step to achieve certification generally (Not always??) also take steps to ensure that the equipment they sell meets federal safety requirements, and that the installers that sell their systems are properly trained (by whose standards?). Many of our member companies have expressed concern that the sale and use of non-certified systems (including systems sold over the Internet) increases the likelihood that some conversions could be done in a manner that is unsafe (does this mean they are all unsafe?). Recently in Utah, an apparently unqualified installer imperiled an entire family by just such an installation. (Are you saying that all EPA Kits are safe since they have the sticker?)
Safety has always been our industry’s paramount concern. (Isn’t it everyones concern?)The US NGV safety standards are among the most stringent in the world, and the US NGV industry has enviable safety record. Any action or program that potentially undermines NGV safety must be evaluated very closely. NGVAmerica and CVEF currently are working with ASE (there are currently 100 CSA trained CNG tank inspectors in the state of Utah) to develop a certification test for conversion system installers. For more information on this issue, contact Jeff Clarke 202.824.7364 or [email protected].