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March 14, 2022

EPA Announces Plans To Try To Reduce Nitrogen Oxide Emissions

On March 11, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed a “Good Neighbor” Plan that would expand Ozone nitrogen oxide (NOx) controls to industrial sources by 2026. The plan seeks to require NOx controls based predominately upon EPA’s Reasonable Available Control Technology (RACT) program for industrial sources in the covered states.

It will do this by establishing an allowance-based ozone season trading program with NOx emissions budgets for fossil fuel-fired power plants in 25 states. The rule would also establish NOx emissions limitations for certain other industrial stationary sources in 23 states.

EPA will hold a public hearing on the proposal and will post details on this page as soon as they are available. The public comment period for the proposal is open for 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.

Read more here.

Earlier in the week, on March 7, the EPA released a new draft regulation that would set stricter standards for greenhouse gas and NOx emissions from certain commercial vehicle categories.

The proposal includes amendments regarding the confidentiality of certain information submitted to EPA for engines, vehicles, and equipment subject to emission standards and other requirements under the Clean Air Act.

It also includes other limited amendments to the regulations that implement our air pollutant emission standards for other sectors (e.g., light-duty vehicles, marine diesel engines, locomotives, various types of nonroad engines, vehicles, and equipment). The agency will allow public comment on the rule and will hold public hearings. Click here for more information.

The EPA estimates the regulation, if implemented, would reduce NOx emissions from trucks by as much as 60 percent in 2045. According to IndustryWeek, the trucking industry welcomed the new rules, which would impact vehicles in model year 2027 and after.

Truck and Engine Manufacturer’s Association President Jed Mandel said his members have previously benefited from regulations that help drive “necessary fleet turnover.” Mandel also noted, “Engines made after 2010 emit roughly 30 times less NOx than those made before 2010. Yet only about 50 percent of the fleet has turned over and realized the benefits of that modern technology. It is imperative the new rule facilitate the transition to newer, cleaner trucks so we can achieve lower NOx emissions as soon as possible.”

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