NEWS BRIEFS FOR THE WEEK OF AUG. 31, 2006

WASHINGTON (Aug. 24, 2006) - The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the "National Vehicle Mercury Switch Recovery Program" that it says will help cut mercury air emissions by up to 75 tons over the next 15 years. The program is designed to remove mercury-containing light switches from scrap vehicles before the vehicles are flattened, shredded and melted to make new steel. Together with existing state mercury switch recovery efforts, the Agency says this program will significantly reduce mercury air emissions from the fourth-leading source in the United States: the furnaces used in steel-making.

While automakers phased out the use of mercury-containing switches in 2002, today's automobiles can have a long street life. As such, many of these vehicles may still be on the road. Others may be off the road and headed to scrap yards. Overall, EPA estimates approximately 67 million switches are available for recovery.

(Photo: EPA)A number of organizations and industry sectors have come together to address the problem of mercury-containing switches in automobiles. The key partners and some of their unique roles are summarized below: * Ten automakers created the End of Life Vehicle Solutions Corp. (ELVS), which will provide dismantlers with information and supplies needed for switch removal, collection and transporting the switches to proper recycling and disposal facilities, while tracking program performance.  * Participating dismantlers will remove mercury-containing switches and ship them to ELVS, giving the dismantlers the ability to market reduced-mercury scrap and earn recognition and certain financial incentives.  * Participating scrap recyclers will build awareness of the mercury switch removal program in their own industry and in the dismantling industry, which is their chief supplier of scrap vehicles.  * Participating steelmakers will educate and encourage their supply chain to participate, and will take steps to purchase scrap metal generated from participating dismantlers and recyclers that have removed the mercury-containing switches.  More information on the program is available at www.epa.gov/mercury/switch.htm.(Source: EPA)USABC Awards Contracts to Develop Hybrid Electric Vehicle Energy Systems WASHINGTON (Aug. 24, 2006) - The United States Advanced Battery Consortium (USABC) has awarded two-year contracts to Johnson Controls-Saft Advanced Power Solutions (JCS) and Maxwell Technologies Inc. The contracts will both be 50 percent funded by the consortium. The USABC is an industry-government group, comprised of the U.S. Department of Energy, DaimlerChrysler, Ford and General Motors. Its mission is to pursue research and development on advanced energy systems to boost the range and performance of future electric and hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs). A major USABC goal is to meet battery-performance requirements for FreedomCAR, an industry government research initiative that targets the development of technologies for boosting fuel economy and reducing emissions of U.S. passenger vehicles. JSC, a joint venture between Johnson Controls Inc. and Saft Batteries, will develop advanced, lithium-ion (Li-Ion) batteries for HEVs. They will focus on accelerating Li-Ion technology development by improving battery power in low temperatures and creating solutions that reduce battery system costs. JCS will supply cell modules that can be tested for abuse tolerance, pulse power, calendar life and cycle life.  Maxwell has been tasked with the development of a compact, low-cost, high-performance, 48-volt ultracapacitor-based electrical energy storage module for mainstream applications in passenger vehicles. The company will deliver fully integrated multicell modules for testing by DOE's Sandia National Laboratory and Idaho National Laboratory against rigorous auto industry standards for energy capacity, pulse power, abuse-tolerance, calendar life and cycle life.(Sources: USABC, Maxwell Technologies, Johnson Controls)Mini Introduces Three 2007 New Models

The next-generation hydrogen storage tank is based on Quantum's state-of-the-art Type IV polymer-lined, all-composite, ultralight weight tank technology. The technology, says the company, incorporates advancements in materials and design, yielding benefits to customers. 

In developing its new storage tanks for fuel cell buses, Quantum was able to achieve substantial reductions in material cost and improvements in both material utilization and manufacturing efficiency compared to its prior generation hydrogen tanks.

Cutaway Of A Compressed Hydrogen Storage Tank
(Graphic: Quantum Technologies) In addition, the company says its compressed hydrogen storage tanks have been successfully tested, validated and certified in Europe, Japan and the United States to operating conditions beyond current industry temperature and safety standards.(Sources: Quantum, DOE)IRS Uses Third Party for 
Delinquent Taxes WASHINGTON (Aug. 30, 2006) - The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is about to turn over data on 12,500 taxpayers - who each owe the Agency up to $25,000 in back taxes - to three private collection agencies. Thirty-three agencies had competed for the three contracts. The cases will involve only those where the taxpayer has not disputed the debt. Larger debtors will continue to be pursued by IRS officers. In 2008, the program is scheduled to add seven more private agencies to the collection process. The IRS says it was forced to undertake this project when Congress refused to grant the authority to hire more revenue officers. Guidelines were developed by the Agency, including background checks on all private firm personnel associated with the project; a mandatory, IRS-directed training program for all private company personnel; and restrictions that prevent the private agencies from taking actions such as liens, levies, seizures or negotiating compromises for repayment.  "The vast majority of states use private firms to help collect delinquent taxes. The new authority that Congress gave to the federal government allows us to use private firms as well," says IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson. "We have carefully considered all of the concerns expressed about this project, which involves work traditionally done by the government. As a result, we are putting tough safeguards in place to protect taxpayer rights and privacy. We will be closely monitoring contractor performance to make sure they're following the law as well as our own internal standards."(Source: IRS)2007 GAAS Scholarships Applications Available Sept. 1 RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC (Aug. 30, 2006) - The Global Automotive Aftermarket Scholarship Committee (GAAS) recently awarded an additional 26 scholarships in 2006, thanks in large part to additional donations from University of the Aftermarket Foundation.  "The applicants for the GAAS scholarship this year were outstanding, so the GAAS Scholarship Selection Committee deeply appreciates the Foundation's support," says Pete Kornafel, committee chairman. "We were able to assist the education of more students who will pursue aftermarket careers."  To be eligible for a GAAS scholarship, applicants must be enrolled full-time in a college-level program or an ASE/ National Automotive Technician Education Foundation (NATEF) certified automotive technical program. Graduate programs and part-time undergraduate programs do not qualify. The GAAS scholarship also is unique in that recipients who graduate from their program and show proof of employment as a technician in the automotive aftermarket for at least six months after graduation can receive a second, matching grant. Scholarship applications for 2007 will be available Friday, Sept. 1, 2006, online at www.automotivescholarships.com. The annual investment to help develop future aftermarket industry leaders is primarily funded through proceeds from the annual Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium. This two-day program brings together numerous industry executives and examines the issues and trends affecting the automotive aftermarket industry and influencing its future. The 2007 event is set for Tuesday and Wednesday, May 8 and 9, at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Chicago. Details will be available soon at www.globalsymposium.org.(Source: GAAS)ASA Launches New Blog Web Site BEDFORD, TX (Aug. 17, 2006) - The Automotive Service Association (ASA) has announced the launch of its new blog Web site, blog.asashop.org. The blog will provide commentary and analysis about the automotive service industry and association news. The new "President's Blog," published biweekly, will be written by Ron Pyle, ASA's president and chief staff executive. ASA encourages members, industry professionals and consumers to visit the blog regularly and participate in the discussion. Blogs are interactive Web sites that allow visitors to quickly post comments, share ideas and interact with others in an online setting.  "Our new blog site provides us with an excellent opportunity to discuss some issues that are impacting the automotive service industry, and in turn, our association and members," says Pyle. "This venue allows us to expand the dialogue between industry professionals and bridge the communication gap between our members and the ASA national office."(Source: ASA)OSHA Issues Asbestos 
Awareness Bulletin  BETHESDA, MD (Aug. 25, 2006) - The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a bulletin to inform personnel in the automotive repair industry of the precautions that must be taken when working with automotive brakes and clutches containing asbestos.  According to OSHA, while the use of asbestos in friction products is declining annually, it remains a substantial source of potential exposure in both old and replacement brakes and clutches. The bulletin provides instructions to follow in the two OSHA-preferred methods to control asbestos dust: * A negative pressure enclosure/high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuum system with low pressure/wet cleaning methods.  * A spray can/solvent system method can also be used as an alternative preferred method because it meets the equivalency criterion of the negative pressure enclosure/HEPA vacuum system method.  Proper training is essential to ensure that employees use the methods in an effective method. Steps to follow can be accessed on OSHA's Web site. (Source: OSHA)
Ford Unveils Clean Diesel Power Stroke DEARBORN, MI (Aug. 21, 2006) - Ford has announced it will introduce a new, clean diesel 6.4-liter Power Stroke engine in the 2007 Super Duty pickup. The engine meets new emissions standards that take effect in 2007, and it will be Ford says it will be the company's cleanest, quietest pickup diesel ever, with particulate emissions equivalent to a gasoline engine. The new engine will be unveiled at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas on Sept. 28. "Clean diesel power will bring even more capability to our new Super Duty pickup - along with a new level of quietness and refinement," says Mark Fields, Ford's president of the Americas.  The all-new Power Stroke 6.4L diesel engine will displace the current 6.0L V8. It will be the first pickup engine in North America to use a high-precision, high-pressure common-rail fuel injection system featuring piezoelectric injectors. These advanced injectors allow "ultraprecise" timing of fuel injection for quietness and better emissions. The new engine also features advanced emissions equipment, including a new diesel particulate filter that scrubs exhaust gases and periodically cleans itself via advanced engine controls. Pricing, fuel economy and engine specifications, including power and torque ratings, will be made available closer to the introduction.(Source: Ford)