A clunker of a law

Dear editor, The EPA ranks reuse as one of the highest forms of recycling. However, Congress is making a critical mistake which will have negative consequences on the environment.

The so-called “cash for clunkers” bill, which seeks to restrict the sale of two major replacement parts — the engine and transmission — has been added to the Energy and Climate Change proposal.

Automotive recycling serves a vital role in preserving natural resources and reducing the demand for scarce landfill space. The automotive recycling industry saves 85 million barrels of motor fuel per year. Currently, 95 percent of a motor vehicle by weight is recycled or reused in the process.

Environmentally, the reuse of automobile parts prior to their ultimate destruction is preferable to merely recycling the metal as scrap.

This saves valuable global resources and has an enormous impact on keeping contaminants and hazardous material out of landfills, water and air.

By reusing and not having to produce a replacement part, recycled engine and transmission parts provide a huge benefit to the environment.

In fact, a single recycled engine versus a new engine saves 261 kg of carbon dioxide (C02) production while a recycled automatic transmission averts

179 kg of CO2.

The adverse environmental consequence of a “cash for clunkers” program, as it relates to carbon dioxide reduction, is real and has not been adequately considered.

Therefore, Congress should consider allowing professional automotive recyclers the autonomy needed to reduce, reuse and recycle.

John Azevedo, Pacific Auto Salvage / American Canyon

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