Federal rule to reduce tire manufacturer emissions. (Contracts, Licenses).

A new regulation issued recently by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is designed to reduce emissions of hazardous air pollutants from rubber tire manufacturing facilities. According to the EPA, the rule will eliminate more than 1,000 tons or 52% of tire plant emissions annually. The Rubber Manufacturers Association, which worked closely with the EPA for six years on this regulation, said the new standards are tough, but allow for some flexibility to reach emission reduction goals. The EPA estimates that the annual compliance costs to the industry will be $25 million.

Tire manufacturers petitioned federal highway safety officials to adopt a new safety regulation requiring motor vehicle tires to have a reserve inflation pressure. The Rubber Manufacturers Association says this action is necessary to ensure that a recent government regulation mandating tire pressure monitoring systems in vehicles will protect motorist safety by providing an adequate warning to motorists when their tires are underinflated.