United States Air and Radiation EPA 420-F-97-001 Environmental Protection MARCH 1997 Agency Office of Mobile Sources v/EPA Regulatory Announcement/ Update Nonroad Phase 2 Small Spark-Ignited Engines Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking In the past year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has signed two joint Statements of Principle (SOP) with several interested parties concerning the control of air pollution from nonroad small spark-ignited engines. EPA is now taking the next step in the process toward implementing this program by publishing an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and the text of the two SOPs for public review and comment. History of the Statements of Principles In July 1995, EPA finalized the first phase of national regulations to control emissions from spark-ignited (SI) engines at or below 19 kilowatts (or 25 horse- power). This regulation, referred to as "Phase 1," takes effect beginning in the 1997 model year. In May of 1996, EPA and several other interested parties signed a SOP which will form the basis of a "Phase 2" proposed rule for nonroad small SI handheld engines. Typical examples of equipment using handheld engines are: brush cutters, chain saws, leaf blowers, and string trimmers. A summary of the handheld SOP can be found in EPA Fact Sheet EPA420-F-96-001, Statement of Principles for Small Handheld Gasoline Engines. In December of 1996, EPA and engine manufacturers signed a SOP which will form the basis of a Phase 2 proposed rule for nonroad small SI nonhandheld engines. Typical examples of equipment using nonhandheld engines are: walk- behind lawn mowers, generators, garden tractors, and commercial turf mowers. A summary of the nonhandheld SOP can be found in EPA Fact Sheet EPA420-F- 97-002, Statement of Principles for Small Nonhandheld Spark-ignited Engines. ) Printed on Recycled Paper ------- EPA Seeks Public Input EPA is now taking the next step towards the implementation of a Phase 2 regula- tion by publishing an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) which contains the text of both SOPs. The ANPRM solicits public input regard- ing both SOPs and other Phase 2 related issues. Comments on the ANPRM will be accepted until 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. These com- ments will be helpful in developing a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), to be published in the fall of 1997. The NPRM will provide detailed discussions of the program provisions being proposed, as well as analysis of environmental benefits and economic impacts. Document Availability The ANPRM will be available in the Federal Register upon publication. It will also be available from the EPA Air and Radiation Docket by calling 202-260- 7548; please refer to docket number A-96-55. In addition, the ANPRM is available electronically via the EPA Internet server and via dial-up modem on the Technology Transfer Network (TTN), which is an electronic bulletin board system (BBS) operated by EPA's Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards. World Wide Web: http://www.epa.gov/OMSWWW TTN BBS: 919-541-5742 (1200-14400 bps, no parity, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit); voice helpline: 919-541-5384 For More Information For more information on this rulemaking, please call the Office of Mobile Sources at 313-668-4344 or write to: US Environmental Protection Agency National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory Small Spark-Ignition Engine Phase 2 Team Engine Programs and Compliance Division 2565 Plymouth Road Ann Arbor, MI 48105 ------- |