EPA proposes clean air standards to reduce emissions

Feb. 27 -- The U.S. EPA is proposing new clean air standards to reduce emissions from about 1 million existing stationary diesel engines.

The more stringent standards would take effect beginning in 2013, reducing emissions of hazardous volatile organic compounds, particle pollution, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides. Stationary diesel engines also would be required to use ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel, already in use by mobile diesel engines.

The new rules would affect stationary engines including but not limited to those used to generate electricity both a primary and a backup generation source.

EPA´s proposal was required under a Jan. 3, 2008, judicial consent decree with the Environmental Defense Fund, which had sued the EPA to impose more stringent standards.

In 2006, the EPA finalized more protective standards for new stationary diesel engines that will reduce nitrogen oxide and particulate matter emissions by about 90 percent. The proposed rules for existing engines, announced Feb. 26, could require existing engines to use many of the same advanced emission control technologies being installed on new engines, according to the Environmental Defense Fund.

The EPA will accept public comments on the proposed rule for 60 days after an announcement is published in the Federal Register.

The 160-page proposed rule, which includes details about maintenance and upgrades required for specific size engines, is available online.

Contact Waste & Recycling News senior reporter Bruce Geiselman at 330-865-6172 or bgeiselman@crain.com