Scary Legislation

Oregon is trying sooo hard to be green.Time to admit those performance tires are resulting in countless polar bear deaths.

Oregon Introduces Bill to Prohibit Sale of Aftermarket Parts

At the request of Governor Theodore Kulongoski, the Oregon Speaker of the House has introduced legislation (H.B. 2186) to prohibit the sale and distribution of aftermarket motor vehicle parts if alternatives are available that "decrease greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles." The bill is primarily focused on aftermarket tires and would authorize the Environmental Quality Commission to implement enforcement regulations, likely based on a rolling
resistance calculation.

We Urge You to Contact Oregon Speaker of the House Dave Hunt and Members of the Environment and Water Committee (Contact Information Below) Immediately to Request Their Opposition to H.B. 2186

* H.B. 2186 would regulate vehicle fuel economy, an authority reserved to the federal government.

* H.B. 2186 could ban tires that may have improved performance, handling or appearance features, based solely on a rolling resistance rating. In addition, this program could easily distract consumers from focusing on more important safety issues such as tire inflation and overloading of vehicles.

* H.B. 2186 would force consumers to purchase only original equipment manufacturer (OEM) tires because the program essentially exempts OEM-selected tires and unfairly implies that they are superior to aftermarket products.

* H.B. 2186 could prohibit aftermarket parts designed to either personalize or optimize specific vehicle performance attributes including handling, towing, suspension, fuel economy, etc.

* H.B. 2186 provides broad authority to government regulators and could limit a range of aftermarket parts currently available to consumers based on the subjective determination of government regulators.

Who planted this crazy idea in your governor's head? No ordinary politician really knows much about mechanical things. Do you have an ongoing issue with illegal street racing or off-roaders tearing things up? Sounds more like southern California-streets, desert etc.
"...H.B. 2186 could prohibit aftermarket parts designed to either personalize or optimize specific vehicle performance attributes including handling, towing, suspension, fuel economy, etc."
Optimize? Would that include antenna balls that create wind resistance? Again, there's a motivating force going on here. I feel for you...Scott
PS: I would contact SEMA (Specialty Equipment Manufacturer's Assn)...they are a large organization that also works with automakers. Send them an e-mail re: this subject!

oh it's coming alright.---You won't be able to stop it (you may slow it down a bit). Who do you think writes this stuff? The huge automakers-that's who. The new transmissions don't even have a provision to add,change or check the fluid level. Where do you think you have to go for service? That's right, the dealer. More Mom/Pop shops good bye.
Bail them out---I say $%$#%$%em!!!
Ask the gang from Europe what they are allowed to do on their cars.
Ask the Japanese why they are forced to replace engines at a certain mileage.---Like I said, you can't stop it. This is PROGRESS(?) after all.

Yes Bruce you have a point there-a strong point. If the automakers can't sell these cars (or build the right cars} then they'll make it up on service. I'd collect and get registered (even as "non-op") some older potential cars to build now, as I assume they could ban all vehicles on the road built after a certain date. Jesus, at least I have memories of fun cars of my past. "It's alive, it's alive..." Young Frankenstein

Kulongoski? We don't call him Governor Colonoscopy without good reason...

Make it very interesting for older vehcles. Let's see, where did I put that source for 3 to 5" rock hard bias ply tires?

I'm very seriously thinking about moving. I am quite pro-environmental, but I have a huge issue with stupid, poorly written, badly thought out legislation.

Wonder what Oregon based Les Schwab tires thinks of this? Mr. Schwab himself is probably rolling over in his grave right now...

You want a green Oregon? Make school 4 ten hour days. Eliminate all bus transportation for one weekday during each school year, it will drop heating and cooling costs for the schools and commuting costs for the staff. Better yet, double kids up on the buses. Why the hell are there buses passing eachother back and forth all over the place in medford when they are almost completely empty and clearly moving kids to the same darn location? And why does every kid get dropped of in their driveway? Remember the good old days when there was a bus stop for school? The buses are stopping every 100 meters right now...

Let workers tele-commute, encourage on-line learning, build bicycle lanes and walking paths, spread the commuter rail and subsidize businesses whose employees walk, telecommute, ride a bike or take the rail.

Want to reduce your carbon footprint? Don't buy shit from China.

angela

There is less perceived value in online learning and therefore they can't charge you as much. What could Harvard charge for you to view a lecture online while in your underwear? They would much rather you in a lecture hall with 200 of your peers and 50k/yr.
(spoken by a bitter man whose daughter is entering college at a cost somewhere between 23-51k/yr)--Pardon me while I puke.

All the other suggestions are great!!

Good points Angela. I get very pissed when I see the obvious waste in Government and the school system. The school busses in Eagle Point stop at almost every house and the kids are not headed to the exit door until the bus has been stopped for 30 seconds, talk about wasting energy. The proposed new laws are more of the same unenforcable laws that clutter the books these days. Why don't those elected bozo's spend a few hours in the legislature canceling some of the dumber ones. Guess they won't because they feel that unless they are passing new laws they aren't doing their job. I can imagine the police feel the same way with the need to carry around a 30 pound book of violations to enforce.

Its nearing time for a second revolution I am thinking, hopefully bloodless. People are generally not happy about the way the country is evolving these days, run by a bunch of talking heads that have never worked a day in their lives. I can't take it any more! GRRRRR

The worst part is that this fierce bit of environmental leg humping not only ignores the REAL issues, it also will effectively shutter the doors of many businesses in Oregon... No worse time around for this!

We can start with Les Schwab - a Prineville Oregon business found in 1952. All the 4x4 specialty stores (Rusty's, Whipple, etc) who make or install aftermarket parts (you know tires...winches, rollbars, all those wicked things that reduce gas mielage). Campers create a huge aero drag, will those manufacturers be out of business? What about the companies who install equipment on trailers and RV's such as pull out window shades, satellite systems, lights, etc (all aero drag)? Kiss 'em good bye.

Companies who re-program electronic transmissions for improved towing shift points (trans lives longer, fuel mileage is effected) will be done as will those who provide power chips and modules for said vehicles.

The written-by-a-hairless monkey leglislation also paints it's broad brush of stupidity across those who supply aftermarket suspension parts e.g. springs and sway-bars.

Another provision expects aero aids for heavy trucks to be fitted or retrofitted. Where on the planet will these guys get money for that??? Looked at a truck driver lately? Did you notice his toes are sticking out of the end of his shoes? And now you want him to put aero aids on his truck????

Truck tires? The factory supplies the trucks with specific tires, but they aren't always what works well especially for off-road trucks including log trucks and dump trucks. These guys normally swap over to a more open treaded tire that sheds mud. Those will all be illegal as they are less fuel economical than the oem tires...

These legislative idiots want to put all this in place - but you know what? There are only two areas of Oregon where the vehicles even go thru emissions testing!!! Yeah - the Portland - Salem, etc., area and Medford. All of Central, coastal, and the entire eastern oregon do not have emissions testing! But we're going to pick certain tires to help the environment? What freakin' stool did these idiots fall off of!?

If I thought I could afford the bail money, I would drive to Salem on Monday and kick somebody(s) in the BALLS!!!!!

Time for the State of Jefferson - BRING IT ON!!!!

angela

I would drive to Salem on Monday and kick somebody(s) in the BALLS

Angela, I have the whole week off. I'll meet you there...with boots on.

I dislike politicians and things political too-what a horrible waste of money. I enjoy your writings Angela. You get my vote as a great humorist. Sincerely.
By the way, towards the end of your post you say "...What freakin' stool did these idiots fall off of!? ...". May I offer to amend it to read "...What freakin' idiot did these stools fall off of...?
Scott

'What stools...' bwahahahaha!!!!

I can just see the Headlines for Rich and I... "SOC MEMBERS JAILED FOR BALL-KICKING ATTACK ON POLITICIANS" followed a few days later by - "CHARGES DROPPED - NO INTELLIGENT LIFE FORMS INJURED!"

angela

Politicians: "One lies and the next 6 swear to it"

Maybe Angela can verify this:
I was told a few years ago that there are only two regions in Oregon that even require periodic smog inspections after new car purchase? One region around greater Portland and the other around Grants Pass / Medford. Probably more than half the states population lives in these two regions. The rest of the state (the other 75%) gets a free pass - no inspections. If that's true, I guess all those trees really do a great job of cleaning up emissions!

But here's my point, the same people told me that living outside those areas allows anyone to go buy a new car, take it home and swap engines for any pre-smog, high performance, tail pipe polluting engine of any kind. No inspections, no penality. If this is true, then the proposed legislation is even more hypocritical.

Either way, ya gotta admit, big government is definitely a growth industry. Hopefully SEMA will help produce some sanity here.

DEQ operates a Vehicle Inspection Program in the Portland and Rogue Valley areas of Oregon. In these areas, an emissions test is required when registering or renewing a vehicle with Oregon DMV.

I once bought an older Ford pickup that was missing a few emissions control pieces. It was a simple matter to register the thing to a friend's address over on the coast.

David,

You are spot-on. Most of the state has no emissions testing... But now we will all have tire nazis!

I say bring back the tar and feathering!!! Make a few examples of the least redeemable officials and let that serve notice to the rest!

angela

Wow. That there tar and them there feathers is makin' yer boots look good 'bout now. .....Yosemite Sam

For a more delicate approach - this link shows who to contact in lieu of the tar and feather approach...

http://www.semasan.com/main/main.aspx?id=62515

I'm just saying though, if we tarred and feathered just one....

angela

It still works in Ireland

http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/02/heres-how-to-deal-with-drug-dealers-tar-and-feather-em/

Wouldn't it be wonderful to know the real reasoning behind that
Governor's decision to put that legislation together? You know
that it wasn't an off the top of his head kid of decision. Someone
or something prompted him to do it.

Right now, it's fairly obvious, that everything put forth by the
new President and leading Democrats is simple paying debts. The
strangely padded out stimulus package has a lot of money earmarked
for infrastructure. Formerly known as "pork" it's just a means to
pay back certain states, governments, individuals whom the party
owes for getting their man in the chair.

It's politics at it's very best, really. All parties do it, all politicians do it,
everywhere, all of the time. He might be paying back a debt, or could have been told to do it in order
to pull the heat away from something else . . keep SEMA or the environmentalists, or whomever occupied for a while.

I just REALLY want to know what would prompt that Governor to
put himself on the block with this specifically aimed legislation.

That's the wonderfully weird part, there IS a reason ! !
Beyond his smarts or lack of them, beyond his personality or lack of one, somehow he decided, and I HAVE to know the how and why of it.
And it won't be a simple, "Because he's an idiot!" either, this is complicated, very public, very specific, very odd stuff here. SOMETHING'S going on and it's GOTTA be interesting, you know?

Yea, what the Prick said...

I don't really care-but I do wish they could be held accountable/criminally. If you knowingly abuse your position-you go to jail=done.
And---the money you screwed from people will be found and you and your family are to live penniless.

More Oregon observations and a conclusion:

Oregon is basically a 3rd world economy. Natural reources (lumber, mining, fishing) are harvested by large global corporations and removed from the area for processing elsewhere. Tourists go there to see the scenery. There are no jobs.

Lumbering has been severely restricted by state and Federal agencies. What lumber is left supplies container ships with raw logs or wood chips. All these ships have foreign registry (Asian). There is very little local wood product processing - no jobs.

Fishing has been severely restricted by Federal and state agencies - no jobs.

Any manufacturing effort that needs water rights or has emissions will never get a permit to build - no jobs.

Oregon is ruled by Portland and it's local pols (much like New YorkCity owns that state). The rest of the citizens are virtually not represented.

Conclusion: The environmentalists view the entire state as one large green garden that must be preserved for weekend get-a-ways. Their first choice is to remove ALL gasoline burning cars from the road. Lacking that, they would like to remove all of last years (and older) cars from the road.

They have a local saying, " An environmentalist is some one who bought their cabin in the woods last year"!

That's a common occurrence in many parts of Europe these days. Rome is one big museum, Venice especially so. Wales and Cornwall, and so on.

No building because you'll wreck the original look, feel, structures, environment, etc. I guess it's the same with Oregon and probably a LOT of other places too.
In MA in a tons of areas you have very strict appearance codes, down to the number of panes in the windows.
No manufacturing any more on the coast, the historic towns, the tourist towns, the ski towns the lake towns, and on and on.

I know why it all happens here, you can follow the money, it's pretty obvious to everyone.
NOW I want to know what's going on in Oregon. I really wouldn't mind trading that whole place for New Brunswick,
throw in Washington state as well if we get ALL of Niagara Falls.

Speaking of Canada . . . I had a cool idea the other day, gonna call it "Canada Blows."
On the first day of Spring, EVERYONE in America, man woman child and as many animals
as you can train before hand ALL FACE NORTH at noon and blow as hard and as long as you can . . .
I just wonder if the population of an entire country can alter the weather pattern of a continent by blowing 94.6 degree carbon dioxide northwards for around ten seconds or so.



If it's successful, maybe try "Mexico Sucks" next . . .


Maybe?

HEY IS THIS TRUE?
YOU CANNOT PUMP YOUR OWN GAS IN OREGON. THE ATTENDANT MUST PUMP THE GAS. WAS TOLD THIS IS A STATE LAW.

Well, Gerd, it is in NJ, don't know about Oregon. I am sure there are other states. And gas is taxed way less than in NY, like 30-40 cents worth PER GALLON!

Gerd,
True story. And every time someone tries to introduce a law allowing self-serve we get a huge uproar about how terrible that would be. As far as I know, Oregon and NJ are the only ones so unenlightened.

i cant imagine letting someone pump gas into my speedster

I trained the local gas pump jockies to let me pump my own. They understood and no problem! I had no trouble elsewhere in the state, they all understood I wanted to save the paint job and they could go back to reading Playboy while I did their work. I didn't mind!

Yes, in NJ a minimum wage - minimal english speaking attendants must by law, pump gas into your vehicle as you the driver, are untrained and present a safety risk..... and IF you think that as you pass through the charming Garden State and stop to gas up they will clean your windshield or check the oil "Youz got a nuter thing cum'n."

I've never had a problem being allowed to fill my Speedster. I think the average pump jockey is reluctant to take the responsibility.

On my first cruise through Oregon, I got out of my car to pump gas when the attendant told me it was the law for him to pump the gas. The attendant must have been an ex-porn star because just as the tank topped off, he pulled the nozzle out and sprayed gas all over my car!! :-)

Rich-Your 2-9-09 @5:27pm post stated:
.... "And every time someone tries to introduce a law allowing self-serve we get a huge uproar about how terrible that would be."... Does the UPROAR come from the politicos, the media, or the population? If it's the latter, then we all really are in trouble. We've allowed these people, through our own complacency, to run the side-show. And the lobbyists (pick any one, or all of them) have become the ringmasters. Are we the clowns? Myself included! Remember I'm a native Californian, the ORIGINAL glass-house state. Lastly, our individual states (states-rights?) are becoming merely D.C.'s in miniature. Bogged-down, tied-down, and gagged..."of the people, by the people, for the people"...that WAS a beautiful dream. OK, I'm off my soap box.

For the Oregonians: I followed "Angela's" posted link of 2-8-09 to the SEMA site and clicked the state (Oregon) on the left to reveal a seperate bit of legislation for 2009; cut-and-pasted directly as follows:

Oregon Adopts Emissions Exemptions for Specialty Cars
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has adopted new Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) requirements for 2009 model year manufactured vehicles. The adopted LEV standards will exempt newly built specialty vehicles from the state

Scott,
Believe it or not, the uproar over self-serve seems to come from the populace. Sound logic like most of the station attendants will lose their jobs, we'll have to get out of our cozy car and get our hands dirty, and those awful fat-cat station owners won't even lower their prices!
As someone mentioned earlier, Portland pretty much dominates state politics. The city has become very Liberal and its government is becoming more and more like Berkeley's every year. Our second term governor has determined that his legacy must be leading the state on a Green agenda, damn the cost. Interestingly, he has generated some controversy in the news recently for some seemingly contradictory positions. From the Oregonian, "Kulongoski killed an attempt by the 2007 Legislature to curtail additional development in the basin by threatening a veto. While the Metolius (River) 'deserves special protection,' Kulongoski wrote, he wanted destination resorts to be sited in compliance with state and local laws." However, now that a developer wants to build an "eco-friendly" resort in compliance with existing land use, "Kulongoski has had a change of heart. He now argues the Metolius is an 'area of critical concern.' That may owe to his passion to be remembered as Mr. Greenjeans . . . or to his ties with (State Sen. and personal friend Betsy)Johnson. He travels regularly on Johnson's private plane, and he has spent 18 days at her Metolius retreat in recent years. Curiously, the "wild and scenic" designation for the river begins at the Johnson property line. As originally drafted, all 29 miles of the Metolius "from its source to Lake Billy Chinook" were included in Mark Hatfield's 1988 amendment to the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. At some point, the southernmost 2,055.5 feet of the river -- that portion on Johnson family land -- was exempted. Asked how that came to pass, Johnson said, 'I assume it was my parents in conversation with Sen. Hatfield.'
Politics...

That all seems a bit much to digest-must be my aging neurons. Put on a good show for the adoring crowds, then disappear into the wings for some "craps". As Mel Brooks said in "The History of the World"..."it's great to be the king......pull!" You HAVE to see this movie to appreciate that line. There's just no boundaries to the depth or breadth of this type of behavior.
Scott
(I'll stop posting if you send me $20.00)

Scott,
I will NOT send you $20. You'd just hoard it, and it would bring no economic or environmental relief to any of us.

Actually S Slater - it's really easy to title replicas in this state. There are ways to title them as the vehicle they were built from (e.g. 72 bug, etc.,) or the vehicle they resemble with no safety or emissions inspections.

What the legislation you are referring to allows us to do is build a 2009 with a conforming 17 digit vin and have it emissions exempt. Think "Ariel Atom" which was made in Ashland, OR. Essentially a brand new built in 2009 race car that you can get plates to drive on the street in a limited fashion. An essentially uneforceable limited fashion... I think this was designed as an encouragement to developing manufacturers to let them "test" vehicles that may or may not be emissions, etc., legal.

As "pro-hot-rod" as I am, this would have never gotten past me. I would have given them the right to be on the road in a completely unrestricted fashion, but only with an emissions complying engine. You want a 2009, then use any one of a score of factory fast engines but keep the emissions within factory specs either thru the original euqipment or the equipment you create. Just meet the pipe test for a 2009 and I'd be good with it. I would want this to encourage people to build cars "outside the box" but still keep emissions controls on them.

In other words, go ahead and build WRX turbo subie speedsters and title them as a 2009 while meeting all emissions.

Keep it reasonably green, have a blast driving it, keep people employed. Works for me.

angela

All this kinda reminds me of Dr. Suess' "push-me, pull-you".....I kinda-sorta think I got it all. Which way'd they go?

To your point Angela,
I beleive the entire nation-wide hot rod community is pissed that NOBODY will pass legislation that is based purely on tail pipe emissions as the only criteria for smog controls on a vehicle.

To wit: you put your car on a dyno, you run the test, if it's clean you pass. Get rid of all this "visual failure" for non-conforming engine components.

For example: I bought a new '74 F-250 and drove it for 22 years. It was built in very late '74 and evidently had a '75 model factory Holley carb and a few other engine peculiarties. It passed tail pipe emissions for 22 years. It failed visual every year. I took it to a "smog referee" each year for 22 years. His yearly comment was, "Oh one of these again". Then he passed it. The good news was the normal smog test cost about $35, but the referee only charged about $6. Guess I was being subsidized for my inconvenience.