Here is my congressman's (Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, CA 11th District) response:
"Dear Mr. Bauman:
Thank you for your recent correspondence regarding the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with me on this important issue.
I share your concerns and support the use of evidence-based public policy to protect the environment and the public. I strongly support policies, such as EPA’s Clean Power Plan that will reduce the dangers of pollution and conserve the environment. As a member of the House Safe Climate Caucus, I support policies that promote environmental health, reduce the dangers of pollution, and conserve the environment for future generations.
As you may know, the proposed language in the Heavy-Duty Greenhouse Gas rulemaking clarifies the distinction between motor vehicles and non-road vehicles such as dirt bikes and snowmobiles. Unlike motor vehicles — which include cars, light trucks, and highway motorcycles — non-road vehicles may, under certain circumstances, be modified for use in competitive events in ways that would otherwise be prohibited by the Clean Air Act.
This clarification does not affect EPA's enforcement authority. It is still illegal to tamper with or defeat the emission control systems of motor vehicles. Should this proposal come to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives for a vote, please know I will keep your thoughts in mind.
Again, thank you for contacting me. If I may be of assistance to you in the future, please do not hesitate to contact my office."
And my reply:
"Thank you for your reply, Mark. I can only assume that you support the EPA's classification of competition-only vehicles as being covered under the authority of the Clean Air Act ,although historical precedent, congressional intent and discourse, and EPA practices over the last thirty years have classified such vehicles as non-regulated under the CAA.
You mention your support for "evidence-based" public policy. Please cite the evidence that amateur motorsports is a credible, clear and present threat to the environment that necessitates removing the freedoms and livelihood of hundreds of thousands of Americans.
If your position is that you support the EPA's hubris and creation of new legislation by reinterpretation of existing regulation, we'll have to be certain that the large numbers of amateur motorsports participants, hot rod and street rod builders and owners, and all the others in your district that support industries related to these hobbies are fully aware that you do not support their freedoms when it comes to building competition only vehicles.
These constituents vote. Please make sure they are fully informed as to your position in this matter that affects them directly and severely.
Thank you for your time and attention.
Bert One - 1981 Volvo 262c Bertone | Ernie - 1990 Nissan 240SX