EPA Putting Red Light on Amateur Car Racing: New at Reason

Reason Staff|Mar. 20, 2016 10:00 am

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has moved to regulate emissions on non-road racing vehicles, used in amateur car racing. Kenric Ward reports:

EPA officials said they are "clarifying" emissions law, yet the Clean Air Act has long exempted non-road vehicles used in competition. The agency has not made a similar move against NASCAR or other professional race circuits.

"The EPA cannot assume powers that Congress hasn't given," Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Tex.), chairman of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, said at an Oversight Subcommittee hearing Tuesday. Smith accused the agency of "unlawful regulation (conducted) without proper notice."

Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC), introduced a bipartisan bill, HR 4715, to block the EPA's action. Texas Democrat Henry Cuellar is among the co-sponsors.

"The federal government has no place testing emissions at private tracks," McHenry told the subcommittee.

http://reason.com/blog/2016/03/20/epa-putting-red-light-new-at-reason