Manufacturers Support EPA Rule to Reduce Emissions

Aug. 8, 2000
EPA last week issued a final rule implementing a manufacturers'\r\nsupported program to significantly reduce diesel emissions from\r\nheavy-duty trucks and buses.

EPA last week issued a final rule implementing a manufacturers'' supported program to significantly reduce diesel emissions from heavy-duty trucks and buses.

The program deals exclusively with cleaner engines. Under this program, diesel truck and bus engines will be required to emit 50 percent less oxides of nitrogen beginning in 2004.

In response to manufacturers'' requests, EPA is expected to finalize later this year a separate program to significantly improve the quality of diesel fuel, thus enabling another significant reduction in diesel engine emissions.

The Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA) announced their support of the 50 percent reduction.

"This ruling is the product of over five years of hard work and cooperation between the diesel industry, the California Air Resources Board and EPA," said Glenn Keller, EMA executive director. "The standards for heavy-duty engines that the agency has developed with industry support are technically challenging but achievable."

However, EMA remains concerned about the inclusion of supplemental testing requirements that will not take effect until 2007.

"We believe that the inclusion of these requirements in the final 2004 rule is premature," said Keller. "Not only would further work on the supplemental requirements have yielded a more effective program, but these requirements won''t be applied until the adoption of new rules and emissions control strategies that are part of the on-going EPA rulemaking. EPA should not separate out test procedures and emission standards in different rulemakings."

With regard to speculation that the final ruling will allow the manufacturers to renege on 1998 consent decrees with the Department of Justice (DOJ) Keller said, "the final 2004 regulations have nothing to do with the on-going dialogue between some consent decree companies and federal officials regarding engine certification procedures. That is a completely separate matter."

Keller noted that engine manufacturers said they remain committed to working with government to assure a cleaner environment.

"We are proud of our record of improving the environment and remain confident that our industry can produce reliable, durable, fuel efficient, high performing diesel engines that are as clean or cleaner than any other power source," said Keller.

by Virginia Sutcliffe

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeekEHS Today, Material Handling & LogisticsLogistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor:  Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.

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