SEMA Steps Up To Defend Diesel Enthusiasts

First, a quick nod to inventor and mechanical engineer Rudolph Diesel, who was born on this day in 1858. He would undoubtedly be astounded at what the auto industry has achieved using the engine concept that he created.

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On Monday The Drive published an informative article about the advocacy role SEMA is playing on behalf of diesel tuners and performance businesses as they battle the EPA. The reason this article by James Gilboy is important is because most small businesses lack the resources to fight a legal battle against the unlimited resources of the government. 

The article begins as a news account regarding Arizona diesel truck tuner Gear Box Z (GBZ), which has been in the crosshairs for what the EPA considers an "emissions defeat devices." The reason SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Assn.) got involved is because the definition of what is unacceptable to the agency has been expanding in recent years, even though no new laws were created. Things which were fine before are being fined now. 

Case in point: Freedom Diesel Performance of Bradenton, Florida, was put out of business by a seven million dollar fine, and others are being needled as well.

The New York Times story in January served notice that the EPA meant business in its efforts to crack down on "emissions defeat devices" but SEMA points to changes that took place 5 years ago with regard to the interpretation of aspects of the Clean Air Act that were once applied more narrowly. Until then dedicated off-roaders and racers were exempt. 

SEMA is not fighting the EPA in order to make polluting legal. Rather, they are attempting to be pro-active regarding the continued infringement of rights for enthusiasts and give greater clarity to the law. Gilboy writes:

GBZ was attributed in the EPA's Jan. 3, 2020 filing with Arizona's U.S. District Court as a source of "EGR Delete Hardware," "Exhaust Replacement Pipes," "DPF Emulators," and "Defeat Tune Products" from Jan. 1, 2015, to April 24, 2017. The first two products on that list remain available on GBZ's site at the time of publishing. In the company's listing for said "Exhaust Replacement Pipes," GBZ notes that they are intended for race vehicles.

In December 2019 SEMA approached Congress to introduce legislation titled Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act. This act sought to bring greater clarity to what is and is not acceptable. After passing through a House Committee the legislation has not been forwarded to the floor of Congress.

Several years ago there were efforts in California to outlaw the street rod culture because they were built in the years before contemporary emissions mandates were in effect. SEMA conducted a study that demonstrated how one maritime transport craft idling in a California port for one day produces more emissions than all the street rods in California would produce in a whole year. 

This advocacy role is invaluable for the industry and its enthusiast constituents because who else has the time and money to conduct these kinds of studies and gather this information. SEMA is thus an important ally for small businesses in the automotive aftermarket as well as for the enthusiast consumers who rely on them.

We encourage you to read the full story here at The Drive.
Here's Why SEMA Is Joining a Diesel Tuner's Fight Against the EPA

https://www.thedrive.com/news/39698/heres-why-sema-is-joining-a-diesel-tuners-fight-against-the-epa