Control of Air Pollution; Emission Standards for New Gasoline Spark-Ignition and Diesel Compression-Ignition Marine Engines; Exemptions for New Nonroad Compression-Ignition Engines at or Above 37 Kilowatts and New Nonroad Spark-Ignition Engines at or Below 19 Kilowatts

Pursuant to section 213(a)(3) of the Clean Air Act as amended, EPA published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on November 9, 1994 (59 FR 55930) for emission standards for new gasoline spark- ignition and diesel compression-ignition marine engines. EPA believes that the proposed standards will help nonattainment areas come into compliance with the ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards. The Agency is now publishing this Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (SNPRM) because EPA wishes to refine its proposals regarding compliance programs, and because EPA wishes to address some of the comments received on the NPRM. Many of the provisions of this SNPRM seek to minimize regulatory burdens proposed in the NPRM without reducing environmental benefits. The proposals include, for example, modified compliance requirements for small manufacturers and manufacturers of sterndrive/inboard engines or old technology two- stroke outboard/personal watercraft engines. Also, this Notice proposes an in-use averaging, banking, and trading program, and addresses comments regarding consistency with the regulations on land-based nonroad compression-ignition engines rated at or above 37 kilowatts (kW). The Agency is proposing adjustments to the form of the proposed standards for gasoline spark-ignition marine engines, and is proposing changes to the level of the standards for sterndrive and inboard engines. Finally, this Notice proposes to revise the criteria for a national security exemption in the regulations regarding marine engines, land-based nonroad compression-ignition engines (<gr-thn-eq>37kW), and land-based nonroad spark-ignition engines (<ls-thn-eq>19kW). DATES: The comment period for this rulemaking will reopen on February 7, 1996, for purposes of taking comment on issues raised in this SNPRM and will remain open until March 8, 1996, or 30 days after the date of a public hearing, if one is held. The Agency will hold a public hearing regarding the content of this SNPRM on February 22, 1996, if it receives the request to testify at a hearing by February 20, 1996. The Agency will cancel this hearing if no one requests to testify. Members of the public should call the contact persons indicated below to notify EPA of their interest in testifying at the hearing; they may call the contact persons after February 20, 1996, to determine whether the hearing will be held.