United States Air and Radiation EPA 420-F-97-020
Environmental Protection September 1997
Agency
Office of Mobile Sources
SEPA Environmental
Fact Sheet
Proposed New Emission Standards
for Nonroad Diesel Engines
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing stringent
new standards for diesel engines used in a wide range ofnonroad
construction, agricultural, and industrial equipment and some marine
applications. The proposed program would represent a major step
toward reducing the harmful health effects of ozone and particulate
matter (PM) nationwide.
What Are the Health and Environmental Benefits?
The proposed standards would reduce emissions from a typical nonroad
diesel engine by up to two thirds. By meeting these new proposed stan-
dards, manufacturers of new nonroad engines and equipment would
achieve large reductions in the emissions that cause ground-level ozone
(especially oxides of nitrogen, or NOx) and particulate matter air pollu-
tion problems in many parts of the country. For perspective, a NOx
reduction of the scale that this rule would achieve is equivalent to taking
more than 2 million of heavy-duty trucks off the road.
Ozone causes a range of health problems related to breathing, including
chest pain, coughing, and shortness of breath. Particulate matter becomes
deposited deep in the lungs and results in premature death, increased
emergency room visits, and increased respiratory symptoms and disease.
In addition, ozone, NOx, and particulate matter adversely affect the
environment in various ways, including crop damage, acid rain, and
reduction in visibility.
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How Much Would the Proposed Rule Cost?
The costs of meeting the proposed low emission standards would add 2
percent or less to the purchase price of new nonroad diesel equipment.
The program would cost about $300 per ton of NOx reduced, which
compares very favorably with other emission control strategies.
How Would the Proposed Rule Provide Flexibility to
Industry?
The proposed program has several elements that would add flexibility to
how manufacturers comply with the standards, reducing the costs of
compliance without harming the overall environmental goals of the rule.
For example, the standards are designed to phase in over several years
with schedules that recognize that some engines are technologically
closer to compliance (e.g., engines similar to highway truck engines)
than others. Engine manufacturers may also use averaging provisions in
choosing their most efficient path to compliance. The proposal also has
provisions designed to smooth the transition by equipment manufactur-
ers as they begin to install the new engine designs into their equipment.
Small businesses subject to the proposed regulations would have addi-
tional options for compliance.
In addition, since the proposed standards are expected to be adopted by
the State of California and are consistent with standards being proposed
in Europe, manufacturers would be able to use a single engine or ma-
chine design for all of these markets, thus avoiding the added cost of
multiple versions.
How Will the Rule Assist States?
Because the proposed standards cover a large and diverse population of
nonroad machines and would achieve very significant, regional-scale
emission reductions across the country, implementation of this program
would become an important part of the overall control strategies of
numerous states and localities grappling with difficult air quality prob-
lems.
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How Did this Initiative Evolve?
In recent years, EPA has been strongly encouraged by states and others
to pursue national regulations that would help them address the air
quality problems in many parts of the country. Prior to issuing this
proposal, EPA engaged in many months of discussion with state envi-
ronmental regulators, environmental organizations, engine manufactur-
ers, equipment manufacturers, small businesses, and others. One result
of this activity was a Statement of Principles signed by EPA, engine
manufacturers, and the State of California outlining a framework for
potential nonroad diesel emission standards. Another result has been
that the Agency has been able to get an early start in addressing a wide
range of issues that stakeholders have raised during numerous meetings
and conversations, during a special small businesses outreach effort, and
during a public comment period on an advance notice which EPA issued
in anticipation of this proposal.
What Are the Main Components of the Proposed
Rule?
The primary feature of this proposed rule is a set of new emission
standards for mobile nonroad diesel engines of almost all types. The
proposal phases in the standards in two tiers and has different standards
and start years for different engine power ratings. EPA will reassess the
feasibility of the program in 2001.
Also a part of this proposal is a set of voluntary standards for engines
with superior emission performance that EPA is hopeful will accelerate
the air quality benefits of this program.
Would the Proposed Standards Apply to Existing
Nonroad Equipment?
No. Only equipment built after the start date for an engine category
(1999-2006, depending on the category) would be covered by the rule.
What Opportunities Exist for Public Participation?
EPA desires full public participation in arriving at final rulemaking
decisions. The Agency solicits comments on all aspects of the proposal
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from all interested parties. Wherever applicable, full supporting data and
detailed analyses should be submitted to allow EPA to make maximum
use of the comments. Commenters are especially encouraged to provide
specific suggestions for changes to any aspects of the proposal that they
believe need to be modified or improved. A public hearing will be held
on October 8, 1997 in Chicago. Written comment will be accepted until
November 24, 1997.
For More Information
A copy of the Proposed New Emission Standards for Nonroad Diesel
Engines is available electronically from the EPA Internet server and via
dial-up modem on the Technology Transfer Network (TTN), an elec-
tronic bulletin board system (BBS).
Internet (Web)
http://www.epa.gov/OMSWWW/
(look in What's New or under the specific topic)
TTN BBS:
919-541-5742 (1200-14400 bps, no parity, 8 data bits,
1 stop bit)
Voice Helpline: 919-541-5384
Information is also available by calling the NOx/PM Heavy-Duty Engine
voice mailbox at: 313-741-7887.
or by writing to:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Mobile Sources
2565 Plymouth Road
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105
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