South Coast Air Quality Management District urges acceleration of non-road emissions limits, 2006 ULSD

Diesel Fuel News, Sept 15, 2003

South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Urges Acceleration of Non-Road Emissions Limits, 2006 ULSD: SCAQMD (metro Los Angeles air regulator) says EPA's proposed "Tier 4" non-road diesel deadlines stretch out too far (until 2014) for tougher limits on nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM).

Problem: Metro L.A. faces PM compliance limits in 2006 and ozone limits in 2010 that cannot be achieved unless EPA accelerates tougher standards on non-road engines, locomotives, marine craft (both large and small) and aircraft, as well as vehicles/ships entering California from out-of-state. "If EPA decides against establishing supplemental national regulators for non-road engines or other sources under its jurisdiction that meet the needs of severe and extreme nonattainment areas, [then] EPA should consider developing regulations for specially designated areas in the nation" such as metro L.A., SCAQMD says. To help such areas, this would mean accelerating non-road NOx limits to 2009, and non-road PM limits to 2005. It also should include mandatory aftertreatment (DPFs, oxi-cats, lean-NOx cats, EGR) on smaller engines of less than 75-horsepower. Retrofit mandates should be part of the rule, too, since it takes decades to cleanup old non-road engines. "These programs could be in the form of retrofit regulations, sales requirements for engine manufacturers with a provision to retire older engines, and other buy-backs or incentive programs to accelerate the retirement of older, high-emitting engines and purchase of newer and cleaner engines." If EPA can't accelerate the schedules or impose tougher limits, then it should establish a "mitigation fee" scheme where engine makers would pay fines, then local air districts would take the money for "emission reduction projects." In metro L.A.'s case that often means SCAQMD giving huge subsidies for compressed natural gas (CNG).