Automotive News, Media & Press - EPA is starting to nail companies.

http://www.fquick.com/blog/Caspers_Electronics_Nailed_by_the_EPA

Looks like a lot of companies are going to receive some heat once they get discovered one by one.

yup not good!

Our tax dollars at work.. :eyes: EPA, how about targeting the large companies that release HUGE amounts of toxins into our air on a daily basis. Wouldn't that be a smart idea! :bang:

shit, thats going to bankrupt some places. :(

Here is the DoJ PDF File covering the case:

Link to PDF file (http://www.usdoj.gov/enrd/Consent_Decrees/Casper/r_Casper's_Electronics_CDFinal.pdf)

From the next to last page:

"While Casper denies these allegations, in order to avoid the time and expense of litigation, Casper has agreed to settle this lawsuit, cease the manufacture and sale of the Simulators, and conduct this Simulator recall and repurchase program."

No , they wouldn't go after the really big polluters cause #1 they have a lobby that bribes politicians & #2 they only pick on easy targets like small business ,and #3 its the Republican way of showing that Bush is really an environmentalist at heart.

Thats got to be some time in the making, Caspers stopped selling those the better part of a year ago.

[QUOTE=Camaroholic]Here is the DoJ PDF File covering the case:

Link to PDF file (http://www.usdoj.gov/enrd/Consent_Decrees/Casper/r_Casper's_Electronics_CDFinal.pdf)


WHEREAS, NOW, THEREFORE it is hereby ADJUDGED, ORDERED, AND
DECREED as follows: that gave me a headache reading that!

What's next on EPA's list? EGR or AIR Block off plates? Headders? Cams? Will Big Brother only allow us to do certain modifications to our vehicles? Will they expand their list of outlaw car parts till there are no aftermarket performance parts left? With the exception of ricer stickers, of course.

Will us "performance junkies" be forced to set up illegal equipment in our basements to manufacuter our own speed parts, or would we buy them off a black market? How soon before someone posts instructions on making 02 sims using materials from your local hardware store and Radio Shack?

[QUOTE=Camaroholic]Here is the DoJ PDF File covering the case:

Link to PDF file (http://www.usdoj.gov/enrd/Consent_Decrees/Casper/r_Casper's_Electronics_CDFinal.pdf)


WHEREAS, NOW, THEREFORE it is hereby ADJUDGED, ORDERED, AND
DECREED as follows: that gave me a headache reading that!

What's next on EPA's list? EGR or AIR Block off plates? Headders? Cams? Will Big Brother only allow us to do certain modifications to our vehicles? Will they expand their list of outlaw car parts till there are no aftermarket performance parts left? With the exception of ricer stickers, of course.

Will us "performance junkies" be forced to set up illegal equipment in our basements to manufacuter our own speed parts, or would we buy them off a black market? How soon before someone posts instructions on making 02 sims using materials from your local hardware store and Radio Shack?


the answer is yes. its called california. before you know it they're going to outlaw certain radio stations because that frequincy causes a species of fruit fly to feel sick.

No , they wouldn't go after the really big polluters cause #1 they have a lobby that bribes politicians & #2 they only pick on easy targets like small business ,and #3 its the Republican way of showing that Bush is really an environmentalist at heart.

Both parties play that horseshit. Bubba did it more than Bush could ever hope to. But you're a member of the jackass party, so of course you're too blind to understand.

BTW, it's the jackasses (hey, it's THEIR symbol, it's not my fault it's a 100% accurate representation) who push the EPA, not the re-pube-icans.

We desperately need Libertarians - fuck socialism and religious censorship alike. The Constitution is Law and everything else be damned.

Another reason to vote for Ron Paul. :judge:

Can't they just advertise ''for offroad use only'' and be perfectly legal?

At least when Clinton lied nobody died. I think , therefore I am a Liberal.

No , they wouldn't go after the really big polluters cause #1 they have a lobby that bribes politicians & #2 they only pick on easy targets like small business ,and #3 its the Republican way of showing that Bush is really an environmentalist at heart.

I second that!

Government has always put big business over the safety and concerns of the average joe. ALWAYS again poor people, farmers, underpaid workers, children, women, and so forth. They only bandaid things when enough people bitch and it goes back to the way before when people get distracted.

Obviously, this is all a bulshit case because Bush announced that they were not going to enforce many select enviromental laws when he became president. This includes things like SCRUBBERS in industrial chimmies. ummmm isn't that the clean air act??????????? WEIRD.

At least when Clinton lied nobody died. I think , therefore I am a Liberal.

Bubba had people murdered to keep them quiet over his financial situation. It's no surprise you're a damn socialist. :eyes:

Can't they just advertise ''for offroad use only'' and be perfectly legal?


Thats what I was just thinking

Can't they just advertise ''for offroad use only'' and be perfectly legal?

Caspers did advertise them that way. The earliest I found them on their web site was January 2001 (on archive.org), and they were advertised that way.

Rather than fight it (which I guarantee would have cost more than the money they're looking at in fines, plus the mental anguish of dealing with a lawsuit), they agreed to the T's & C's laid out in that PDF file.

Apparently "Off Road Use Only" is NOT sufficient to the EPA if the true purpose of your product is to defeat an emissions control device.

I also wonder how this will impact "off road Y-pipes". I seem to recall the EPA cracking down on "test pipes".

I can't think of other products offhand that are as truly intended to "defeat emissions controls" as O2 simms were. Other products that have the capability - such as tuning software - have other purposes too, and turning off emissions control is not their primary function...

But if the Feds go after these small companies, odds are that the companies will settle, because lawsuits are costly, and the Feds have MUCH deeper pockets. Once again, America has the best justice system money can buy.

At least when Clinton lied nobody died. I think , therefore I am a Liberal.

LOL, ignorance is bliss.

i hope they dont ban bandclamps next

Actually when Clinton lied ppl did die. And do remember he fought two wars for muslims against Westerners. The man helped out the PRC entirely too much and was a strategic idiot. But...I wish he and Bush could have a brain transplant when it comes to running a deficit.

W

Actually when Clinton lied ppl did die. And do remember he fought two wars for muslims against Westerners. The man helped out the PRC entirely too much and was a strategic idiot. But...I wish he and Bush could have a brain transplant when it comes to running a deficit.

W

He had nothing to do with that. He was in the right place at the right time. Greenspan plus the tech boom were what he was riding on. And, if anything, one could argue that the tech boom had it's groundwork laid by Regan. But even THAT is giving the office of the president too much credit for what goes on. The person in that office has no direct control over any such things.

All bubba did was piss it away by fostering soclialist programs. Any time gore was leading polls in '00, the stock market when down, any time Bush was leading, it went up. Not a coincidence.

The attacks followed by natural disasters on top of the bust of the tech boom right as bubba was leaving is what lead to our current situation.

IOW -
http://i15.tinypic.com/5yu02rn.gif

lol

Can't they just advertise ''for offroad use only'' and be perfectly legal?
They were. Doesn't matter.

Our tax dollars at work.. :eyes: EPA, how about targeting the large companies that release HUGE amounts of toxins into our air on a daily basis. Wouldn't that be a smart idea! :bang:

In response to this comment you should look at some of the EPA regulations before stating this. The EPA is going after bigger companies by regulating them.

Here are regulations called New Source Performance Standards (NSPS 40 CRFR 60). They regulate new equipment installed at facilities. The most recent is IIII and JJJJ, which relate to compression fired and spark fired engines.
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=84b19a24f8b5ffb4bfdd72a62a30d6d9&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title40/40cfr60_main_02.tpl

Additionally they have 40 CFR 63 for all the toxic pollutants found here as volume 9 thru 14:
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?sid=46fc758d0fe4a4e5457be09ff42ef19e&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title40/40tab_02.tpl

I am unsure why they went after Casper, but chances are if they are settling for money there is some doubt if it will stick. Normally, the EPA will fine or shut down people if they can, and settle for money if there is doubt about the case. Remember the government cannot be wrong as a regulating agency.

I am Caspers. And I can tell you that we settled to avoid further litigation and expense. We cannot appeal the case and must bear the fines and loss of revenue. We're trying to keep the company in business and by law decree, the government can't bankrupt a small business. This it the limit to which we can pay a fine and still survive and believe me, it's tough. REAL tough.

We always advertised our products as off road use only and even insisted that the purchaser agree by click-box and purchase agreement, but that doesn't mean anything...the off-road use only clause has been deleted from the rule book.

So all I can say is, anyone who produces parts and services in which the end user is an OBD II vehicle - read that "1996 and newer", watch out. They already know who you are and the will DEFINITELY come a'knockin. And, ANY device that can be construed as an emissions-changing device is fair game as well. If the product has any effect at all in changing emission control parameters, it's on the hit list and will soon be under EPA attack. The bigger you are, the harder you'll fall. As they said, we're a "landmark" case and the worst is yet to come. They'll go after manufacturers first, then the trickle down effect will send them after the end-users. Remember it's the government with unlimited $$ to do this. Your tax dollars at work.

John

I am Caspers. And I can tell you that we settled to avoid further litigation and expense. We cannot appeal the case and must bear the fines and loss of revenue. We're trying to keep the company in business and by law decree, the government can't bankrupt a small business. This it the limit to which we can pay a fine and still survive and believe me, it's tough. REAL tough.

We always advertised our products as off road use only and even insisted that the purchaser agree by click-box and purchase agreement, but that doesn't mean anything...the off-road use only clause has been deleted from the rule book.

So all I can say is, anyone who produces parts and services in which the end user is an OBD II vehicle - read that "1996 and newer", watch out. They already know who you are and the will DEFINITELY come a'knockin. And, ANY device that can be construed as an emissions-changing device is fair game as well. If the product has any effect at all in changing emission control parameters, it's on the hit list and will soon be under EPA attack. The bigger you are, the harder you'll fall. As they said, we're a "landmark" case and the worst is yet to come. They'll go after manufacturers first, then the trickle down effect will send them after the end-users. Remember it's the government with unlimited $$ to do this. Your tax dollars at work.

John

I'm sorry to hear the government is making an example out of a relatively small company like yours. I still have my O2 sims. But your statement about going after manufacturers and end users is disturbing because that affects virtually every car enthusiast including everyone (sponsors and users alike) on this board and every other car board on the internet.

My only question is how come SEMA isn't getting involved in this? Maybe they have but I just haven't seen it yet.

My only question is how come SEMA isn't getting involved in this? Maybe they have but I just haven't seen it yet.

There was something in last months SEMA magazine and I think it said that the only thing that is changing is the verbage with the disclaimer. Now it has to read something like "Legal in Ca only for Racing vehicles which may never be used on a public road" or "Not legal for sale or use in Ca on polution controlled motor vehicles".

So they are soon to be going after SLP (and us "end users") for selling lids, even with the air pump hose hooked up?!?!?! WOW, that is so completely F'ed UP!! :eek2: :nono: :pissed:

Yeah right " DrkPhynx " , George W. Bush is "THE" environmental president . He's right up there with Gore . Dream on wacko !

more proof america is going to hell a hang basket

another reason I wanna sell my car and get a classic car until they inact crusher laws for classics

Yeah right " DrkPhynx " , George W. Bush is "THE" environmental president . He's right up there with Gore . Dream on wacko !

You're out of your mind. But then, that goes without saying for liberals.

Nice try, but nothing was said that even came close to being able to be construed that way.

If people like you weren't so dangerous, you'd be downright hysterical. lol (nevermind how often you love to go INto hysterics lol)

You're out of your mind. But then, that goes without saying for liberals.

Nice try, but nothing was said that even came close to being able to be construed that way.

If people like you weren't so dangerous, you'd be downright hysterical. lol (nevermind how often you love to go INto hysterics lol)Go away Rush Limbaugh.

Everyone who purchased an 02 Sim from John Spina's company aught to be sending him a $5 dollar thank you check for his good services and reliable product (so long as it is due). What is happening to him is sick and wrong.

And...those of you running on about politics, I ask you this: What party do you think the hardcore, hippie environmentalists affiliate with? You know, the tree hugging, bike riding, anti-fossil fuel "humanitarians"? And the politicians who listen to them? You know, the ones that want to raise taxes and penalties for companies, all while believing in "catastrophic" global warming? Come on guys, they're the same ones who push for things like this to happen to companies like John Spina's, and you know it.

WOW, Do they not know that ls1edit and hptuners have that capability...WAIT, I've said too much....Next thing you know they'll make that illegal too.... :bang: :bang:

Good thing I just purchased my o2 simms

This is what SEMA says on their web site:

http://www.semasan.com/main/main.aspx?id=61695

Emissions Defeat Devices: The U.S. EPA has contacted a number of performance parts manufacturers looking for information about the sale of products that replace catalytic converters for the limited purpose of racing and other off-road uses. EPA is responsible for enforcing Clean Air Act provisions prohibiting the manufacture or sale of components “whose principle effect is to bypass, defeat or render inoperative an emission control device . . .” When EPA has previously made such requests, the agency generally intends to verify that a manufacturer's sales volume is consistent with what is reasonable for legitimate motorsports and other off road uses. While a proper disclaimer in catalogs, advertising and instruction manuals, etc., is a prerequisite for selling such products, it alone may not be sufficient to prevent EPA from imposing penalties for the sale of illegal defeat devices if the EPA concludes that sales far exceed the off-road market for these products. SEMA will continue to provide the membership with materials outlining compliance requirements under clean air laws and EPA/CARB regulations.