EPA emissions targets ‘technically challenging, but achievable’

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Aug. 4, 2000) — Diesel engine makers pledged their qualified support of final emissions rules issued earlier this week by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The rules stipulate that diesel truck and bus engines emit 50% less oxides of nitrogen beginning in 2004. The EPA is expected to finalize later this year a separate program to reducing the sulphur content of diesel fuel, thus enabling further reductions in diesel engine emissions.

The Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA) issued a news release declaring support for the emissions targets, calling them “technically challenging, but achievable.”

However, the group, which represents major manufacturers, said it was concerned about the inclusion of supplemental test requirements in the 2004 rule. It said the additional testing requirements need more work, and are premature since they won’t be applied until the adoption of new fuels and emission control strategies that are part of the ongoing EPA rulemaking, the group argued.

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