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The EPA on Thursday announced what it called strict new
standards for gas-powered lawn equipment and marine engines. The regulations
will take effect in 2010 and 2011.
"EPA's new small engine standards will allow Americans
to cut air pollution as well as grass," said EPA Administrator Stephen L.
Johnson. "These standards help fight smog in our neighborhoods and
waterways as we continue to improve the environmental landscape."
The rule kicks into gear in 2011 for lawn and garden
equipment of 25 horsepower or less, according to an agency release. For a full
range of gas-powered personal watercraft and inboard and outboard engines, the
rule powers up in 2010, the agency said.
To meet the new exhaust emission standards, manufacturers
will likely employ catalytic converters for the first time in many small
watercraft and lawn and garden equipment. The agency said the regulation also
includes the first national standards for boats powered by stern-drive or
inboard engines, and CO standards for gasoline-powered engines used in
recreational watercraft.
Non-road gasoline-powered engines, such as those used in
lawn and garden equipment, will see an additional 35 percent reduction in
smog-forming hydrocarbon (HC) and NOX emissions. These
cuts go beyond the 60 percent reduction that saw final implementation two years
ago under an earlier rulemaking. The updated engines will also achieve a 45
percent reduction in fuel evaporative emissions.
Recreational watercraft powered by gasoline
engines will incur a 70 percent reduction in HC and NOX
emissions, a 20 percent reduction in CO and a 70 percent reduction in fuel
evaporative emissions.
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