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Regulatory

Announcement

 Printed on Recycled Paper

United States

Environmental Protection

Agency

Air and Radiation EPA420-F-02-041

September 2002

Office of Transportation and Air Quality

Frequently Asked Questions from

Facility Managers and Other Owners of

Industrial Spark-ignition Engines

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has adopted new

emission standards for nonroad spark-ignition engines used in forklifts,

generators, aerial lifts, and many other kinds of farm, construction, and

industrial equipment. This fact sheet addresses questions we have

heard from concerned parties.

Why is EPA adopting emission standards for

Industrial Spark-Ignition Engines?

Nonroad spark-ignition engines over 19 kilowatts (“Large SI engines”)

currently emit about 500,000 tons of hydrocarbons (HC) and oxides of

nitrogen (NOx) each year across the United States. These pollutants

combine to form smog. The engines can also emit high levels of carbon

monoxide (CO) and toxic compounds such as benzene, which is especially problematic for engines operating in areas with limited access to

fresh air. Reducing these emissions will benefit our health and environment. In the Clean Air Act, Congress requires us to set emission standards that address these problems. These environmental impacts are

described in more detail in the fact sheet referenced below.
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Does my current Large SI engine need to meet these

regulations?

No. Engine manufacturers must ensure that each new Large SI engine

sold meets the new emission standards. The standards apply only to new

engines produced after January 1, 2004. Unless manufacturers choose to

sell clean engines earlier, anything manufactured before then is not

affected by this regulation. Note that similar requirements already apply

in California.

As an owner of a Large SI engine, how does this

affect me?

You may not disable any emission controls installed on your engine.

Manufacturers explain in their owner’s manual what type of emission

controls exist for each model. Manufacturers may also specify some

minor maintenance you must do to keep emission controls working

properly over the life of the engine.

What kind of emission controls is EPA requiring?

We don’t tell manufacturers how to comply with the regulations, but we

generally expect them to meet the new standards by adding technologies

that have been used in cars for many years, including electronic fuel

systems and three-way catalytic converters. The expected technologies

for nonroad engines, however, do not include the latest improvements

automotive companies have made to meet the more stringent emission

standards that apply to passenger cars and other highway vehicles.

How much will these controls cost?

We are projecting that manufacturers will see increased costs of about

$600 per engine. This will vary somewhat based on the size of the

engine and the type of fuel that it burns. However, we expect operators

to experience a net savings from these new engines, as described below.

How will these controls affect performance and

safety?

These technologies should not only reduce emissions, but substantially

improve engine performance. Engines that are already operating with

the expected emission-control technologies have much better fuel effi-
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ciency, need less adjustment, and have less down time for maintenance.

We estimate that fuel consumption will decrease by 20 percent compared with engines that have no emission controls. We expect these fuel

and maintenance savings to be much greater than any extra costs to

produce the cleaner engines. The expected emission controls generally

raise no safety concerns; in fact, reduced CO emissions from the new

engines provide a great safety advantage.

How do the emission standards protect individuals

from exposure to exhaust emissions?

We are aware that forklifts, ice-surfacing machines, sweepers, and other

types of equipment operate in areas that may expose people to high

levels of exhaust emissions. Carbon monoxide emissions from engines

that are not certified to emission standards can be particularly high,

which can endanger operators or others who are around the equipment.

This is true whether the engines use gasoline, natural gas, or liquefied

petroleum gas.

Low-emitting engines can help ensure that pollutant concentrations are

at safe levels in enclosed areas, but they are not automatic solutions.

Continued monitoring of local air quality and attention to ventilation

will always be an important responsibility of operators and owners.

Nevertheless, in the long term, we expect manufacturers to reduce CO

emissions by 90 percent or more.

Starting in 2007, engines will have additional features, such as improved

calibrations and diagnostic controls, that help to make sure that each

engine’s emission-control system is working over its lifetime. In addition, we added provisions that give manufacturers flexibility to produce

engines specifically to provide extra protection for applications where

there is a greater concern for individual exposure to exhaust emissions.

For example, manufacturers may sell Blue Sky Series engines, which

have been certified to be cleaner than the standards for other engines. In

addition, the long-term standards encourage manufacturers to tailor their

emission controls based on particular needs for different applications.

Will these regulations affect where I can use my

equipment?

No. These regulations do not include any specific restrictions about

where you can use your equipment.
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Where can I get more information?

You can access documents on Large SI engines on the Office of Transportation and Air Quality Web site at:

www.epa.gov/otaq/largesi.htm

You can also contact us at:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Office of Transportation and Air Quality

Assessment and Standards Division

2000 Traverwood Drive

Ann Arbor, MI 48105

Voice-mail: (734) 214-4636

E-mail: stout.alan@epa.gov

See additional fact sheets:

• Emission Standards for New Nonroad Engines— Large Industrial

Spark-ignition Engines, Recreational Marine Diesel Engines, and

Recreational Vehicles (EPA420-F-02-037)

• Environmental Impacts of Newly Regulated Nonroad Engines

(EPA420-F-02-033)

• Emission Regulations for Stationary and Mobile Engines

(EPA420-F-02-034)

• How to Maintain or Rebuild Engines Certified to EPA Standards

(EPA420-F-02-035)

• Blue Sky Series Engines (EPA420-F-02-036)