EPA Deadline FAST Approaching for
all Body Shops

By January 11, 2010 all body shops must file an Initial Notification with the EPA and/or their State identifying the shops compliance status with the NATIONAL EMISSION STANDARDS FOR HAZARDOUS AIR POLLUTANTS NESHAP (SUBPART HHHHHH) which became effective in January 2008.
Such notification may certify that the shop is currently in compliance with all aspects of the rule. If a shop is not currently in compliance with the rule, the notification may be filed stating the shop will be in compliance by the final compliance deadline of January 10, 2011. An additional notification must then be submitted by March 11, 2011 to certify this compliance.

This new rule is intended to control emissions from paint stripping and miscellaneous service coating operations. To comply with this rule, all shops must do the following:

Paint Stripping Operations
Implement management practices that minimize emissions of Methylene Chloride (MeCl).
- Evaluate the need for paint stripping (e.g., is it possible to re-coat without stripping?).
- Evaluate each application to identify potential alternative stripping methods.
- Reduce exposure of strippers to air.
- Optimize application conditions.
- Practice proper storage and disposal.

For each paint stripping operation with > 1 ton MeCl annual usage, develop and implement a written MeCl minimization plan. No implementation plan is needed if usage is < 1 ton MeCl; however, sources must still utilize work practices to minimize emissions of MeCl. Consult the MSDS sheet to identify the amount of MeCl contained in the paint stripper, but note that annual usage should not exceed 181 gallons of MeCl.

Maintain records of annual usage of paint strippers containing MeCl.
Motor Vehicle/Mobile Equipment/Miscellaneous Surface Coating Operations.
- Train/certify all painters on spray gun equipment selection, spray techniques, maintenance, and environmental compliance (consult 73 FR 1738, pg. 1762, section 63.11173(f)(2)(i)-(iv)).
- Install/operate filter technology on all spray booths/stations/enclosures to achieve at least 98% capture efficiency.

- Spray booths/stations used to refinish complete motor vehicles or mobile equipment must be fully enclosed and ventilated at negative pressure or up to 0.05 inches water gauge positive pressure for booths that have seals on all doors and other openings and an automatic pressure balancing system.

- Spray booths/stations used to coat miscellaneous parts or products or vehicle subassemblies must have a full roof, at least three complete walls or side curtains, and ventilated so that air is drawn into the booth.

- Spray-applied coatings must be applied with a high volume, low pressure (HVLP) spray gun, electrostatic application, airless or air-assisted airless spray gun, or an equivalent technology.

- Paint spray gun cleaning must be done so that an atomized mist or spray of the cleaning solvent is not created outside a container that collects used gun cleaning solvent.

- Train and certify all personnel who spray apply surface coatings no later than 180 days after hiring or by July 7, 2008 (new sources) or by January 10, 2011 (existing sources).

Once compliant, each shop must maintain a compliance file accessible for inspection. Such file should include the following documents:

- Copies of Notifications submitted to EPA.
- Painter training certifications.
- Spray booth filter efficiency documentation.
- Spray gun transfer efficiency.
- MeCl content information such as MSDS.
- Annual usage of MeCl for paint stripping, and written MeCl minimization plan if annual usage > 1 ton per year.
- Deviation and corrective action documentation.

An annual notification of changes report is then required to be filed each calendar year in the event any reportable changes occur.

To obtain further information and assistance in complying with this rule, contact the following sources:

EPA:
http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/area/arearules.html

http://www.4cleanair.org/contactUsaLevel.asp
State Air Quality Division
State Small Business Environmental Assistance Program

Chevrolet and OnStar Give Volt Owners 24/7 Connection and Control via Wireless Smartphone Application

LAS VEGAS – Chevrolet and OnStar unveiled the auto industry’s first working smartphone application that will allow Chevrolet Volt owners 24/7 connection and control of vehicle functions and OnStar features remotely.
OnStar’s Mobile Application allows drivers to communicate with their Volt from Droid by Motorola, Apple iPhone and Blackberry Storm smartphones. It uses a real-time data connection to perform tasks from setting the charge time to unlocking the doors.
The Chevrolet Volt OnStar smartphone application is designed to enhance the overall Volt ownership experience with interaction and control never offered before on any electric vehicle. The application:

displays charge status – plugged in or not, and voltage (120V or 240V)
provides flexibility to “Charge Now” or schedule charge timing
displays percentage of battery charge level, electric and total ranges
allows owner to manually set grid-friendly charge mode for off-peak times when electricity rates are lowest
sends text or email notifications for charge reminders, interruptions and full charge
displays miles per gallon, electric only miles, and odometer readings
shows miles per gallon, EV miles and miles driven for last trip and lifetime
remotely start the vehicle to pre-condition the interior temperature
“The Chevrolet Volt ushers in a new era of automotive technology and calls for a new level of connectivity and control,” said Walt Dorfstatter, president, OnStar. “Nearly 6 million vehicles on the road today use OnStar to stay connected, and our new smartphone app will make that even easier for Volt drivers.”

OnStar’s real-time data connection also helps drivers maximize the environmental benefits of owning a Volt, even when not in the vehicle. The application’s intuitive Charge Status feature simplifies setting the charge time. Rather than using battery power, the application allows owners to start the Volt remotely to pre-condition the interior temperature using power from the grid. This preserves the battery charge for driving without gasoline.

When a charge command is activated, the Volt owner will receive a confirmation message on the application alerting the owner that a command has been successfully sent to the vehicle. If in view of the Volt, a green LED charge light on the dash will indicate the charge state.

Jimmie Johnson Named Male Athlete Of The Year By The Associated Press

Four-Time NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion
Becomes First Race Car Driver To Receive Award

The post-season honors keep piling up for Jimmie Johnson and once again, the four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion is making history.
Johnson has been named the Male Athlete of the Year by members of The Associated Press becoming the first race car driver to win this prestigious award in the 78 years it has been presented.
Johnson made history this season when he became the first driver to win four consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup titles, accomplishing a feat that the likes of Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, Darrell Waltrip and Cale Yarborough were unable to achieve. In 2009, Johnson won seven races, including four during NASCAR’s “playoffs” – the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.
Johnson and the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet team at Hendrick Motorsports have elevated themselves to the “dynasty” level. And, taking into consideration that this award has been presented in the past to such superstars as Lance Armstrong, Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, Joe Montana, Carl Lewis, Muhammad Ali, Sandy Koufax, Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Byron Nelson, Joe DiMaggio, Jesse Owens, and Joe Louis, it’s safe to say that Johnson has etched his named alongside some of sports’ greatest of all-time.
“We’d been wondering the last few years, ‘When is this going to hit?’” Johnson told the Associated Press. “It seems like the answer is now. The wave is finally peaking and we don’t know where it’s going to take us. The fourth-straight title takes it out of our sport and makes it a point of discussion like, ‘Wow, a race car driver won this thing.’”
Johnson received 42 votes from editors at U.S. newspapers which are members of the AP. Tennis star Roger Federer (30 votes) and Olympic gold medalist sprinter Usain Bolt (29) were the only other athletes with totals in the double-digits. Swimmer Michael Phelps, who won a record eight Olympic gold medals in the 2008 Beijing Games, was last year’s recipient.

FORD ADDS 34 PARTS TO COLLISION TRUCKLOAD PROGRAM
Ford Customer Service Division (FCSD) has refreshed the offerings on its popular Collision Parts Truckload Program.
Thirty-four new parts – all with significant list-price reductions – are now available, including radiators, grilles, exterior lighting, mirrors, steel bumpers, fascias and a wheel.
Meanwhile, Ford’s other competitive collision parts initiative – “Steel the Sale” will see its current parts list remain unchanged. The program’s 54 parts – including hoods, fenders and tailgates – allow dealers to more effectively compete with the imitation crash parts in the market.
“We’re continually evaluating programs to keep the most in-demand parts competitive,” said George Gilbert, manager of both FCSD part programs. “With over 400 high-demand parts currently available on the truckload program, repairers and insurers can offer our customers (Read More)

 

Recycled Rides Vehicle Donations Roll in
from Generous Insurers and Industry Partners

The National Auto Body Council (NABC) announced its appreciation for the insurance industry and other strategic industry partners, who are stepping forward to provide the vehicles forming the foundation of NABC’s Recycled Rides program. Recycled Rides is a community awareness project whereby members of the NABC repair and donate refurbished vehicles to families and service organizations in need throughout the United States. Without vehicles for the collision repair industry to refurbish, there can be no program.

I-CAR INTRODUCES CONCEPT FOR
ROLE-BASED TRAINING CURRICULUM

Based upon two years of feedback received from the collision inter-industry, I-CAR, the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair, outlined a realignment of its curriculum that defines a framework for industry training based upon an individual’s role and level of experience and responsibility.

“Since late 2007, I-CAR has worked with individual members of the inter-industry across segments to fully understand their training needs,” said Tom Moreland of AkzoNobel and current Chairman of the I-CAR International Board of Directors. “During these discussions it became clear that the inter-industry desires a training regimen clearly focused on an individual’s role in the automotive collision claim and repair process. The realignment, or Professional Development Matrix, provides collision repairers, insurers, vehicle manufacturers, suppliers and I-CAR with a clear roadmap to provide relevant training and eliminate redundancy.”Read More