EPA June 5 Latest Developments 6/5/2003
From: Cathy Milbourn of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 202-564-7824; e-mail: milbourn.cathy@epa.gov web: http://www.epa.gov/newsroom WASHINGTON, June 5 -- Following are the latest developments from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. For more information on any of these subjects, call the appropriate contact: EPA IMPROVES AVAILABILITY OF SERVICE AND REPAIR INFORMATION FOR VEHICLES WITH ON-BOARD DIAGNOSTIC (OBD) SYSTEMS Contact: Cathy Milbourn 202-564-7824/[email protected] Final revisions to EPA's Service Information Rule will make vehicle repair information for passenger vehicles and heavy-duty trucks more accessible to service and repair technicians. All 1996 and newer passenger vehicles are required to have On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) systems. Under the revisions, all heavy-duty trucks beginning in 2005 will be required to have OBD systems. The system is designed to trigger a "check engine" light on the dashboard of a vehicle or truck if the various pollution control devices are not functioning properly. Today's action will also improve the quality of the scan tools used to diagnose OBD-equipped vehicles. This rule will require that the repair information be readily available on the Internet. To effectively service OBD-equipped vehicles and trucks, independent auto technicians will have access to the same emissions-related repair information and in the same manner as the manufacturer's franchised dealerships. Consumers will have more choices on where their vehicles will be serviced. For more information, go to: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/vehserv.htm --- MORE PUBLIC COMMENTS SOLICITED ON ENVIRONMENT AND AGING AGENDA; DEADLINE EXTENDED Contact: Luke C. Hester 202-564-7818/[email protected] Wanda Loving 202-564-7822/[email protected] EPA is extending the public comment period to Sept. 30 to encourage the public to submit more comments on the planned National Agenda for the Environment and the Aging. The Agenda is a significant component of the Aging Initiative launched in October 2002, to identify research gaps and to examine the potential environmental impact of the rapidly increasing population of the elderly. The National Agenda will lay out a strategy that combines research and educational programs to prevent environmental health hazards that affect the elderly. Comments received during the six "listening sessions" held earlier this spring around the country will be included with any further comments received before Sept. 30. Further information is available at: http://www.epa.gov/aging A notice in the Federal Register extending the comment period was published on May 20. --- NASA HONORS EPA ADMINISTRATOR, REGIONAL EMPLOYEES FOR RECOVERY WORK ON COLUMBIA SPACE SHUTTLE CRASH Contact: Dave Ryan, 202-564-7827/[email protected] The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) gave special recognition in a ceremony on May 27 in Dallas to EPA Administrator Christie Whitman and two EPA emergency response employees, Jim Mullins and John Martin, for their removal work to retrieve material from the space shuttle Columbia. EPA responded to reports of hazardous materials, cleaned up any contamination and protected the public from toxic exposure. Administrator Whitman received the NASA Distinguished Service Medal in recognition of her leadership. The entire EPA team included approximately 1,900 personnel, including about 650 field personnel and 80 "on scene coordinators" from other regional offices around the country. Mullins and Martin received NASA's Exceptional Achievement Medal for their outstanding personal dedication and expertise in the recovery efforts. Mullins was instrumental in coordinating EPA's equipment and personnel in the field. Martin was one of the first EPA responders to arrive at the scene and helped establish the recovery field office. In addition, EPA has honored about 400 of its employees for their work. In response to nearly 200 calls, EPA recovered 76 percent of the hazardous containers and 20 percent of the pyrotechnic devices from the shuttle. For more information, go to: http://www.epa.gov/columbia |