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Regulatory

Announcement

Office of Transportation

and Air quality

EPA420-F-04-041

May 2004

Clean Diesel Program for

Locomotives and Marine Engines

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is inviting comment

from all interested parties on a plan to propose more stringent emission

standards and other provisions for new and existing locomotives, and

new marine diesel engines. EPA is issuing an advance notice of

proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) to gather information and determine

how to proceed.

Engines Addressed in the ANPRM

EPA is considering more protective standards for new and existing

locomotives. This approach would address the long service life of locomotive engines.

EPA is considering standards for new marine diesel engines with per

cylinder displacement below 30 liters. The standards would apply to

marine diesel engines used in all applications: commercial (excluding

ocean vessels), recreational, and auxiliary. They would also apply to

engines at or below 37 kW, which were previously included in the nonroad standards.

Locomotives

Marine

Diesel

Enginies
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Exhaust Emission Standards

EPA is considering emission standards modeled after our 2007/2010

clean highway and nonroad diesel engine program, with an emphasis on

achieving large reductions in PM emissions as early as possible through

the use of advanced emission control technology. These locomotive and

marine standards, which could apply as early as 2011, would be based

on the application of high-efficiency catalytic aftertreatment enabled by

the availability of clean diesel fuel with a sulfur content capped at 15

parts per million (ppm). The low-sulfur fuel is already being produced in

some U.S. markets, and refiners will be required to produce ultra-low

sulfur fuel for locomotive and marine engines in 2012. EPA had originally proposed a less stringent fuel standard of 500 ppm.

In EPA’s Clean Diesel Truck and Bus Program and Clean Air Nonroad

Diesel Program, EPA estimated that NOx and PM emissions could be

reduced by 90 percent. EPA expects that similar levels of NOx and PM

reductions could be achieved by applying similar technologies to locomotives and marine diesel engines.

In addition to standards for new engines, EPA is interested in ideas for

voluntary provisions and initiatives that could encourage cleaner engines

and retrofits, or accelerate replacement of existing engines.

Locomotive and Marine Diesel Engines Emissions

Need to be Reduced

Locomotive and marine diesel engines are significant contributors to air

pollution in many of our nation’s cities and ports. Locomotive and

marine diesel engines produced today are required to meet relatively

modest emission standards. This means that they continue to emit large

amounts of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM), which

contribute to serious public health problems. The relative contribution of

these diesel engines is expected to grow due to the expected future

growth in the use of these engines. By 2030, EPA estimates that, without

new controls, locomotives and marine diesel engines will contribute

about 27 percent of mobile source NOx and 45 percent of mobile source

fine diesel particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions.

Millions of Americans continue to live in areas with unhealthy air

quality that may endanger public health and the environment. Because

of this, federal, state, and local governments are working to bring ozone
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and particulate levels into compliance with the new more protective

health standards for ozone and particulate matter. The reductions EPA is

considering in this advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM)

will play a critical part in improving the air quality for states and local

communities.

Exhaust from diesel engines contributes to unhealthy concentrations of

fine particles and ozone which are linked to serious problems, including

premature death, increased risk of lung cancer, heart disease, aggravated

asthma and other respiratory conditions. In addition, PM, NOx, and

ozone adversely affect the environment in various ways including

visibility impairment, crop damage, and acid rain.

Public Participation Opportunities

EPA welcomes comments on this ANPRM. For instructions on submitting written comments, please see the Federal Register notice. It is

available from the EPA Air Docket by calling 202-566-1742; please

refer to Docket No. OAR-2003-0190.

Information is also available at:

www.epa.gov/nonroad

You can also contact EPA at:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Assessment and Standards Division

2000 Traverwood Drive

Ann Arbor, MI 48105

Voicemail: (734) 214-4636

E-mail: asdinfo@epa.gov