snowmobile industry vindicated by epa findings

nternational Snowmobile Manufacturers Association head Ed Klim stated that the four major snowmobile manufacturers welcome the release of the corrected Non-Road Emissions Findings from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as well as the Advanced Notice of Proposed Rule Making (ANPRM) for snowmobiles and other non-road engines.

The head of the East Lansing, Michigan-based manufacturers group noted, "The (snowmobile) manufacturers have worked to provide technical data to the EPA since 1993.

Klim added, "The corrected numbers released by the EPA show that previous figures widely promoted by anti-snowmobile extremist groups were maliciously exaggerated by 335%. Inexcusable!"

The corrected numbers released by the EPA followed rigorous testing of modern snowmobile engines using procedures that reflect real world use of a snowmobile.

"These tests were ignored by the extremists, who published erroneous numbers which better suited their cause," explained Klim.

"We welcome the regulatory process and look forward to working with the EPA," continued Klim. "But equally important, we welcome the release of the long-awaited corrected emissions numbers. We trust this will put an end to bogus statistics used by desperate extremist groups as scare tactics, designed to impact negatively on the snowmobile industry."

ISMA's spokesman notes the snowmobile manufacturers have always believed in good science and hopefully all groups will be now obligated to use the correct data as verified by the EPA.

"For the first time, all interested parties will be able to use real numbers." Klim emphasized, "There will be no more fuzzy-math opportunities for extremist groups.

In an ISMA release, Klim explained the four major snowmobile manufacturers always understood that when President George Bush signed the Clean Air Act in 1990, snowmobile engine emissions would be regulated by the EPA. Since that time, each manufacturer has dramatically improved its engine technology to prepare for requirements of the coming regulatory standard.

Based on the corrected numbers issued by the EPA, the ISMA statement notes "…it is no surprise that the regulatory action for snowmobiles has been postponed since their actual level of significance is minimal."

According to ISMA, snowmobile manufacturers will continue to work with the EPA in developing appropriate regulatory standards. In this way, the family sport of snowmobiling will continue to offer great winter recreational opportunities throughout the northern United States, and in particular, in rural communities where the economies are fragile and dependent on the winter tourism that snowmobiling brings.