On Friday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued tough new standards for new diesel engines powering trains and ships.
EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson signed the Locomotive and Marine Diesel Engines Rule that will will reduce soot by 90%, or 27,000 tons, and cut nitrogen oxide emissions by 80%, or nearly 800,000 tons.
The regulations will apply to all types of diesel locomotives, including line-haul, switch, and passenger rail, as well as a wide range of diesel boats, including ferries, tugboats and all types of marine auxiliary engines.
"As more and more goods flow through our ports and railways, EPA is cutting diesel emissions at their source–keeping our nation on track toward a clean, healthy, productive tomorrow," Johnson said.
The standards for soot and nitrogen oxide emissions will be phased in starting in 2015 and 2014, respectively–dates that were criticized by some for being too far in the future.
William Becker, executive director of the National Association of Clean Air Agencies, praised the EPA for tightening down on under-regulated sources of US air pollution, but said his group was "disappointed" that the EPA chose to delay implementation beyond the date by which some areas of the country are required to meet clean air deadlines.
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