Emissions

Washington, D.C., April 17, 2007 -- EPA continues to mow down harmful emissions from the nonroad sector with a new proposal that sets strict standards for most lawn and garden equipment and small recreational watercraft.

"From the largest locomotives to the smallest lawn mowers, EPA's current and planned clean air regulations will continue environmental progress, keeping the air cleaner than a generation ago," said EPA Acting Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation Bill Wehrum.

The proposal is groundbreaking in several areas. To meet the new exhaust emission standards, manufacturers are expected to use catalytic converters for the first time ever in many types of small watercraft, lawn, and garden equipment. After rigorous analysis and extensive work with diverse stakeholders, EPA determined that such a strategy was feasible and safe. This proposed rule also includes the first ever…

* Fuel evaporative standards for all the types of equipment and watercraft covered in the rulemaking
* National standards for vessels powered by sterndrive or inboard engines and
* Carbon monoxide standards for gasoline-powered engines used in recreational watercraft

Boat, engine manufacturers and dealers should note responsibilities under new requirements

CHICAGO, Monday, March 12, 2007 – Beginning January 1, 2008, the State of California will introduce a new, more stringent set of exhaust emission regulations for sterndrive and inboard (SD/I) gasoline marine engines, and the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is encouraging all parties in the SD/I distribution channel—including boatbuilders, engine manufacturers and boat and engine retailers—to understand their individual responsibilities and liabilities associated with the ruling.

“Unlike previously enacted outboard engine and personal watercraft emission regulations, which placed the compliance burden exclusively on marine engine manufacturers, the compliance burden and liability for the SD/I regulation will be shared between the dealer, boatbuilder and engine maker,” says John McKnight, NMMA director of Environmental Safety and Compliance. “That said, it’s critical each party understand its role and know the required steps in order to comply with the ruling.”

CHICAGO, March 14 /PRNewswire/ -- The Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA) responded positively to the proposed new emission standards for marine and locomotive engines in the rulemaking recently announced by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). If finalized and implemented as proposed, the new requirements for marine and locomotive engines will dramatically reduce emissions from diesel engines used in commercial and recreational marine vessels. EMA is committed to working with EPA to ensure these stringent, technology forcing standards are finalized in a manner consistent with the unique and practical aspects of marine and rail operations.

The new rule is significant because it completes a suite of recent diesel rules from EPA designed to reduce emissions from all new diesel engines in the United States by over 90%. Previously issued rules are yielding very significant emission reductions from on-highway trucks and buses, nonroad construction and farm equipment, and stationary generators and pumps and already require the use of cleaner diesel fuel in marine and locomotive applications.