The EPA has reached a settlement with the Engine Manufacturers Association regarding a rule the agency proposed in order to revise the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines, which is also known as the RICE NESHAP.

All public comments on the recently proposed settlement agreement must be received on or before Dec. 2, 2011.

The EPA has reached a settlement with the Engine Manufacturers Association regarding a rule the agency had implemented in order to revise the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines, which is also known as the RICE NESHAP.

The rule has required manufacturers to significantly lower the emissions of internal combustion engines; many organizations do not believe the EPA has allowed enough time for them to effectively lower their engines' emissions.

As a result of the settlement, by June 15, 2012, the EPA will sign a notice of proposed rulemaking, which includes a proposal to revise the RICE NESHAP. The revision will allow spark-ignition four-stroke rich burn engine owners and operators, who meet an emission standard that requires at least a 76 percent reduction of formaldeyde, to prove compliance based upon testing that shows no less than a 30 percent reduction in total hydrocarbons.

EPA administrator Lisa Jackson will sign a final action on the proposal by March 14, 2013.

All public comments on the recently proposed settlement agreement must be received on or before Dec. 2, 2011.

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