Letter to the Editor
July 1, 2009

Dear glassBYTEs.com™/AGRR magazine,

Thanks for opening up the CARB regulation for discussion within your blog (CLICK HERE to view). Let me start with a true story to which I think we can all relate. Heading back to Pittsburgh from the Detroit International Auto Show this past January, the day was beautiful with bright sunshine despite the near zero temperature. As I drove, the sun beat through the glass and my face actually felt as if it were being burned. The solution, of course, was to turn on the fan, open the vents and let the cold air in. While this worked well to cool my face and torso, my legs and feet were freezing (even with the "mix" setting for the vents). We all have experienced this discomfort while driving, but usually in the summer and the solution is to crank up the air. On my Detroit trip, the cool air was free, but we all know that A/C burdens the engine of a car and reduces overall gas mileage. Burning more fuel creates more CO2 emissions and hence the issue in California, where Assembly Bill 32 requires the State to reduce levels of CO2 to what they were in 1990 by 2020.

The logic and the science is quite clear on the subject and very well detailed in a study by the DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). (The report's principal author was John Rugh). Based on the analysis in that report, a vehicle's fuel mileage could be improved by up to 4 percent. Pittsburgh Glass Works has estimated that fuel cost savings when gas is $3/gallon can be over $60 per year. CARB has received inputs that the up-charge to the OEM for a coated windshield would be about $20. (Note that per NREL, about 80 percent of the benefit comes from the windshield alone.) However, since there are lots of arguments about savings and cost assumptions, let us double the cost and halve the benefit to $40 and $30, respectively. That still results in a 16-month payback. Of course, this doesn't take into account how much an OEM will mark up the product, some of which is justified, but some of which will just be opportunistic. I leave it to your readers to run the numbers at whatever level of OEM mark-up they believe will occur. Suffice it to say for this message, that over a realistic time of ownership, the car owner will indeed come out cash ahead.

Let's call the cash economics-neutral. That leaves us with all the other "wins" associated with Infrared Reflective (IRR) glass. As I see it, this regulation is a quadruple winner. First, CO2 emissions will be reduced and that is the ultimate intent of the regulation. Second, and this is more important, should other states or indeed the country adopt similar requirements, less fuel will be consumed and that reduces dependence on foreign oil. Perhaps it is only a bit, but more than one might think (NREL has the data) and certainly enough not to be scoffed at. Thirdly, the occupants of the vehicle are more comfortable. No more sweating and freezing at the same time. There is a reason the Mercedes S-Class uses IRR glass all around, and it is not fuel savings! Finally, and some outside our industry may not call this a win, but the glass industry will have an opportunity to sell more value-added products. This regulation, especially if it goes nationwide will stimulate innovation within the automotive glass industry and provide another level upon which competitors can differentiate themselves.

As one looks back at California regulations, they have actually gotten some things right. For example, look at the catalytic converter, which is now ubiquitous, and Los Angeles smog has been reduced. Closer to home, look at California's commercial and residential regulations regarding energy-efficient glazing. Both of these regulations have proven their economic and social benefits. With CARB's recognition that the "cool paints" are not ready and by slowly ramping up the glass requirements, they have shown their pragmatism and willingness to listen to industry and OEMs . As a former employee in the glass industry, I encourage your readers to support the CARB "Cool Cars and Reflective Glazing" initiative.

Regards,
Dick Heilman
Former Vice President, Marketing and Research and Development
Pittsburgh Glass Works
Pittsburgh, Pa.

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