Control of Emissions of Air Pollution From Nonroad Diesel Engines and Fuel

Nonroad diesel engines contribute considerably to our nation's air pollution. These engines, used primarily in construction, agricultural, and industrial applications, are projected to continue to contribute large amounts of particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur oxides, all of which contribute to serious public health problems in the United States. These problems include premature mortality, aggravation of respiratory and cardiovascular disease, aggravation of existing asthma, acute respiratory symptoms, chronic bronchitis, and decreased lung function. We believe that diesel exhaust is likely to be carcinogenic to humans by inhalation. Today, EPA is adopting new emission standards for nonroad diesel engines and sulfur reductions in nonroad diesel fuel that will dramatically reduce harmful emissions and will directly help States and local areas recently designated as 8-hour ozone nonattainment areas to improve their air quality. This comprehensive national program regulates nonroad diesel engines and diesel fuel as a system. New engine standards will begin to take effect in the 2008 model year, phasing in over a number of years. These standards are based on the use of advanced exhaust emission control devices. We estimate particulate matter reductions of 95 percent, nitrogen oxides reductions of 90 percent, and the virtual elimination of sulfur oxides from nonroad engines meeting the new standards. Nonroad diesel fuel sulfur reductions of more than 99 percent from existing levels will provide significant health benefits as well as facilitate the introduction of high-efficiency catalytic exhaust emission control devices as these devices are damaged by sulfur. These fuel controls will be phased-in starting in mid-2007. Today's nonroad final rule is largely based on the Environmental Protection Agency's 2007 highway diesel program. To better ensure the benefits of the standards are realized in-use and throughout the useful life of these engines, we are also adopting new test procedures, including not-to-exceed requirements, and related certification requirements. The rule also includes provisions to facilitate the transition to the new engine and fuel standards and to encourage the early introduction of clean technologies and clean nonroad diesel fuel. We have also developed provisions for both the engine and fuel programs designed to address small business considerations. The requirements in this rule will result in substantial benefits to public health and welfare through significant reductions in emissions of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, as well as nonmethane hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, sulfur oxides, and air toxics. We are now projecting that by 2030, this program will reduce annual emissions of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter by 738,000 and 129,000 tons, respectively. These emission reductions will prevent 12,000 premature deaths, over 8,900 hospitalizations, and almost a million work days lost, and will achieve other quantifiable benefits every year. The total benefits of this rule will be approximately $80 billion annually by 2030. The substantial health and welfare benefits we are projecting for this final action exceed those we anticipated at the time of this proposal. Costs for both the engine and fuel requirements will be many times less, at approximately $2 billion annually.