EPA Proposes Emissions Reductions For Off-Road Diesels
By Oliver B. Patton, Washington Editor
The Environmental Protection Agency is targeting off-road diesel engines for significant reductions in emissions. These engines typically are used in construction, agriculture and industrial equipment.
The proposal, which would begin to take effect in 2008, calls for a 90% reduction in particulate matter, or soot, and nitrogen oxides (NOx) by 2014. It mirrors the reductions currently planned for on-highway diesels in 2007.
EPA also noted that it is calling for dramatic reductions in the level of sulfur in diesel fuel - from the current 3,400 parts per million to 500 ppm in 2007 and 15 ppm in 2010.
According to EPA, off-road emissions contribute significantly to health problems associated with dirty air. A typical bulldozer, for example, emits as much NOx and soot as 26 new cars, and off-road diesel engines account for 44% of the diesel soot and 12% of the NOx emitted by vehicles nationwide, the agency said.
The move represents the Bush administration's "strong commitment" to improve air quality, said EPA Administrator Christie Whitman in a statement. "Coupled with the 2007 diesel rule for highway trucks and our school bus retrofit program, these actions will be the most far-reaching diesel programs in the world today." Since this proposal was published, Whitman has announced her intention to leave EPA.
The proposal can be viewed at www.epa.gov/nonroad. Email comments may be submitted until Aug. 20 at nrt.
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