The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last week finalized new emissions standards for gasoline powered equipment, including speedboats, lawnmowers and other lawn-care gear.
Currently, these engines do not have to meet the more strict emissions standards that vehicles do. When the new regulations go into effect in 2010 and 2011 they will reduce the allowable emissions of gasoline fumes, cabon monoxide, hydrocarbons and other smog-forming pollutants.
According to the EPA, the rule will result in annual reductions of 600,000 tons of hydrocarbons; 130,000 tons of nitrogen oxide; 5,500 tons of direct particulat matter; and 1.5 million tons of carbon monoxide. The new standard is also predicted to save 190 million gallons of gasoline each year.
The regulation is the first national standard for stern-drive or inboard powered boats. Manufacturers will likely begin installing catalytic converters in boats and lawn gear for the first time to reduce emissions.
Rules for gas-powered personal watercraft and inboard and outboard engines will go into effect in 2010. Rules for lawn and garden equipment powered by 25-horsepower engines (or less) will go into effect in 2010.
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