U.S. proposes strict emission levels for vans, suvs
Date: 07-Oct-99
Country: USA
Author: Randy Fabi
The EPA's proposal calls for the reduction by 2007 in smog-causing
nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, or soot, from the heaviest SUVs,
like the massive Ford Excursion.
"In addition to cutting emission from heavy duty trucks, it would close
any possible loopholes for the new, super-large SUVs now being built by
ensuring that they also meet strict emission standards," said EPA
administrator Carol Browner.
"As a result, Americans can have both cleaner air and the consumer
choices they want in motor vehicles," she added.
The EPA is proposing new engine standards beginning in 2004 for vehicles
over 8,500 pounds. It is also requiring gasoline-powered trucks to be 78
percent cleaner and diesel trucks to be 40 percent cleaner than today's
models.
The EPA projects this will reduce 55,000 tons of particulate matter per
year.
Smog and particulate matter in the United States account for 15,000
premature deaths, 1 million respiratory problems, 400,000 asthma
attacks, and thousands of cases of aggravated asthma, especially in
children, according to the EPA.
Motor vehicles generate nearly one-third of all emissions of nitrogen
oxides and volatile organic compounds - the pollution that causes smog.
Environmentalists applauded the new EPA restrictions but urged
regulators to accelerate the 2007 cleanup timetable.
"It's very encouraging that the EPA is taking up the problem of big
diesel trucks," said Frank O'Donnell, executive director of the Clean
Air Trust. "But they could do it faster."
The trucking industry said the new federal air standards would be
expensive and difficult to follow under the proposed timeline.
"Combining today's actions with Tier II will require re-engineering
virtually every car and truck Ford makes in a period of a couple of
years, when most are already low emission vehicles that meet consumer
needs," said Kelly Brown, director of vehicle environmental engineering.
Trucking is a $372 billion industry in the United States, making up 81
percent of the nation's freight bill, according to Bob Costello,
economist at the American Trucking Association.
The EPA will hold a public hearing on the proposal on Nov. 2 in
Philadelphia, and will also accept letters, faxes and e-mails from the
public on its plan.
