by Jbs091308 e3 — September 15, 2008—The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set strict new standards for small gas-powered equipment in order to enhance public health by reducing the amount of gas fumes, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and smog-forming pollutants emitted from a wide range of engines. The regulations will take effect in 2010 and 2011.
The rule covers both small non-road spark-ignition engines and equipment, and marine spark-ignition engines and vessels. The non-road engines section covers those rated below 25 horsepower (19 kW) used in household and commercial applications, including lawn and garden equipment, utility vehicles, generators, and a variety of other construction, farm, and industrial equipment.
The non-road engines will see an additional 35 percent reduction in smog-forming hydrocarbon (HC) and NOx emissions beyond the 60 percent reduction implemented two years ago. The updated engines will also achieve a 45 percent reduction in fuel evaporative emissions. To meet the new exhaust emission standards, manufacturers will likely employ catalytic converters for the first time in many of the equipment.
When fully implemented, the rule is expected to yield annual emission reductions of 600,000 tons of hydrocarbons, 130,000 tons of nitrogen oxide (NOx), 5,500 tons of direct particulate matter, and 1.5 million tons of carbon monoxide (CO). EPA expects the new standards to save approximately 190 million gallons of gasoline each year.
For more information, visit EPA’s Lawn and Garden (Small Gasoline) Equipment or Gasoline Boats and Personal Watercraft Web pages.
