While at first glance the answer as to whether or not the EPA should ban car modifications altogether may seem black and white if you look at it from an environmental benefit standpoint, when you delve deeper into the topic it becomes more of a grey area. 

When people see that this issue plays into a topic such as global warming, which is very prevalent right now they often would jump the gun and say yes, car modification should be banned completely. The thing most people probably don’t think of off the top of their head is that car modification is a multi billion dollar industry, and not just in terms of part sales, but racing altogether.

This is where a large issue arises with the EPA’s proposal. If they wanted to exclusively ban the modification of road going vehicles, this would still be a big deal, but would not incite an uproar on anywhere near as big a scale as this. The EPA wants to ban car modifications period, even if they are on a vehicle that is exclusively for off road track use. 

This topic hits close to home as I work at a race track. If the EPA’s proposal went through then potentially me and everyone I work with would be unemployed. This is why it is very important to regard this as not only an environmental but an economic issue. There is not necessarily a correct answer out there. I am not more swayed to one side or the other, just that these are things that must be considered before coming to a decision. 

If you come to a decision as to which side you support, you can contact your local representatives telling them you either support the RPM Act (against the mod ban) or the National Compliance Initiative (for the mod ban).