Stephen Barlas

Stephen Barlas has been a full-time freelance Washington editor since 1981, reporting for trade, professional magazines and newspapers on regulatory agency, congressional and White House actions and issues. He also does a column for Automotive Engineering, the monthly publication from the Society of Automotive Engineers. He covers the full range of auto industry issues unfolding in Washington, from regulatory rulings on and tax incentives for ethanol fuel to DOE research and development aid for electric plug-ins and lithium ion battery commercialization to congressional changes in CAFE standards to NHTSA safety rulings on such things as roof crush standards and data recorders.

News

EPA addresses disposal of shop towels

Jan. 1, 2020
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says auto repair shops are one of the chief beneficiaries of a final rule having to do with disposal of shop towels.
News

OSHA rule on silica could affect parts manufacturers, body shops

May 26, 2016
The new OSHA standard goes into effect on June 23, 2018 and establishes a new permissible exposure limit (PEL) for respirable crystalline silica that is half the old standard....
News

NTSB considers tire registration changes

Jan. 26, 2015
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has picked up the issue of tire safety, and its concern could lead to recommendations for regulatory changes affecting tire dealers...
News

EPA opens door to consumer use of new, eco-friendly refrigerant

Dec. 23, 2013
In November, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continued to clear a path for use in the U.S. of the new motor vehicle air conditioning refrigerant HFO-1234yf.