Quantcast

LEGAL NEWSLINE

Friday, March 29, 2024

West Virginia AG asks EPA to retract proposal that could hurt racing industry

Autoracing

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) – West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey joined six other states in drafting a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency, asking the agency to withdraw a proposal that could significantly hurt stock car and drag racing in West Virginia.

The letter objects to the agency’s proposed requirement that all certified motor vehicle engines and emission control devices remain in their certified configuration. This rule, the attorneys general believe, would cause harm to a racing parts and accessories industry that consumers spent $36 billion on nationwide in 2014.

“This rule effectively makes modifying a vehicle for purposes of racing illegal,” Morrisey said. “That will destroy jobs and end a pastime Congress specifically protected under the Clean Air Act. Any purported benefit gained by EPA would pale in comparison to the economic damage it will cause.”

The coalition of attorneys general hopes to protect manufacturers, retailers and technicians who make these products – roles that would become illegal under the new law.

The proposed law could specifically hurt West Virginia at its many racing facilities – the Kanawha Valley Motorsports Park in Mason County, sport car racing in Mineral County and stock car ovals in Cabell, Greenbrier, Jefferson, Jackson, Mercer, Mineral, Randolph, Ritchie, Tyler and Wood counties.

More News