The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing a program to further reduce air pollution, including ozone and particulate matter (PM), from heavy-duty engines and vehicles across the United States. The final program includes new emission standards that are significantly more stringent and that cover a wider range of heavy-duty engine operating conditions compared to today’s standards; further, the final program requires these more stringent emissions standards to be met for a longer period of when these engines operate on the road. Heavy-duty vehicles and engines are important contributors to concentrations of ozone and particulate matter and their resulting threat to public health, which includes premature death, respiratory illness (including childhood asthma), cardiovascular problems, and other adverse health impacts. The final rulemaking promulgates new numeric standards and changes key provisions of the existing heavy-duty emission control program, including the test procedures, regulatory useful life, emission-related warranty, and other requirements. Together, the provisions in the final rule will further reduce the air quality impacts of heavy-duty engines across a range of operating conditions and over a longer period of the operational life of heavy-duty engines. The requirements in the final rule will lower emissions of NOX and other air pollutants (PM, hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), and air toxics) beginning no later than model year 2027. We are also finalizing limited amendments to the regulations that implement our air pollutant emission standards for other sectors ( e.g., light-duty vehicles, marine diesel engines, locomotives, and various other types of nonroad engines, vehicles, and equipment).
DATES:
This final rule is effective on March 27, 2023. The incorporation by reference of certain material listed in this rule is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of March 27, 2023.
ADDRESSES:
Docket: EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2019-0055. Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically at www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at Air and Radiation Docket and Information Center, EPA Docket Center, EPA/DC, EPA WJC West Building, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW, Room 3334, Washington, DC. Out of an abundance of caution for members of the public and our staff, the EPA Docket Center and Reading Room are open to the public by appointment only to reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19. Our Docket Center staff also continues to provide remote customer service via email, phone, and webform. Hand deliveries and couriers may be received by scheduled appointment only. For further information on EPA Docket Center services and the current status, please visit us online at www.epa.gov/dockets.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Brian Nelson, Assessment and Standards Division, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, Environmental Protection Agency, 2000 Traverwood Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48105; telephone number: (734) 214-4278; email address: [email protected].