I am writing the CARB to express my disapproval for its proposed aggressive car scrappage program.

I have been informed that you are instituting a very aggressive scrappage program across California. Under this new regulation, you would be crush and destroy up to 150,000 cars a year for 10 years to meet emissions-reduction goals?? Why won't regulations allow for salvage or recycling of any vehicle parts or engines?? The corresponding loss, in terms of irreplaceable parts and vehicles needed by vehicle enthusiasts, will be significant. I understand this situation personally.

In approving this proposal, you (CARB) have flatly disregarded California law (S.B. 501) mandating that all scrappage programs allow for parts recycling. Under the new regulations, the only way a hobbyist or a low-income individual can obtain a necessary part would be to buy the entire car before it's crushed. Most disappointing, you (CARB) did not consider a proven alternative to scrappage "voluntary repair and upgrade "where older vehicles are voluntarily submitted for repair and installation of emissions upgrade retrofit equipment. You (CARB) gave no attention to a San Diego Air Pollution Control District pilot "Repair/Upgrade" program, which achieves emissions reductions at half the cost of typical scrappage programs.

You (CARB) also chose to ignore the facts concerning real-world scrappage programs: (1) You do no testing to prove emissions reductions are achieved with scrappage or that vehicles scrapped are replaced by cleaner running vehicles; (2) These programs fail to recognize that many cars turned in for scrappage can barely run or cannot pass smog inspections and that the programs themselves are susceptible to fraud; (3) Your proposed scrappage program disregards the needs of hobbyists and low-income families who rely on the availability of older vehicles and parts; and (4) Regulatory agencies cannot justify crushing cars when more cost-effective and environmentally sound programs, such as voluntary repair and upgrade, exist.

SEMA VP of Government Affairs Chris Kersting said, "SEMA is disappointed CARB is disregarding the law regarding parts recycling and is ignoring proof that scrappage programs are fatally flawed. The association is working with car clubs and other interested parties to determine the best response to the CARB's decision. Our options include introducing legislation and/or bringing legal action challenging the final regulations"

I ask you as an honest citizen, and a law-abiding motorist, for you to "scrap" you proposed Car Scrapping Policy.

This is not the way to solve emissions problems in the State of California.

Thank You,

David Ebbesen Savell

1968 BMW 1600/2002
1968 BMW 1600/2002
1974 Lotus Elite

The reply from CARB

Dear Mr. Savell:

Thank you for contacting us. I have looked into this matter for you and I believe there is a "short answer" and a "longer answer" to the issues you have raised with regard to car scrapping in California.

The short answer is that there is no funding for any of the programs proposed in connection with SB 501; we have a limited pilot project under way in the South Coast Air Basin, but as with all these car scrapping programs these days, this is a voluntary effort and has nothing to do with quotas or anything similar.

The longer answer may be found in the staff report that was prepared for the December 1998 ARB Board meeting wherein this subject was addressed. It is about 36 pages long (not counting appendices) and may provide some of the information you are looking for. If you wish, I will be very happy to place a copy in the mail for your consideration.

Thanks again for your e-mail.

Sincerely, Jon Pederson, Business Assistance Specialist,
Office of the Ombudsman, California Air Resources Board