Legislation

Mobile

First, you have to ask yourself, "What got us here?" What were the standards for our air quality and the North American emission concerns that led the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other regulatory bodies to change the regulations we were familiar with?

Bottom Line: Why do we need to control emissions and what role do you have to play?

• Large portions of the U.S. do not meet the national ambient air quality standards.
• Diesel exhaust has been implicated in an increased risk of lung cancer and respiratory disease AND diesel trucks and buses comprise 28% of the Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) and 20% of the Particulate Matter (PM) from U.S. mobile source emissions.
• PM and NOx from diesel contribute to asthma and other serious respiratory health problems.

What has the EPA done about it?

• Tightened the emissions standard. Starting back in 1999, with a phased-in approach over eleven years to 2010, the EPA has taken us to where we are now.
• EPA launched the National Clean Diesel Campaign (NCDC)
• The NCDC has two parts: Regulations & Voluntary program

What do the regulations cover?

• New engines and mandates for low sulfur diesel fuel. These cover Light-duty Tier 2 passenger vehicles (like a pick-upper with an engine greater than three-liters), Heavy-Duty Diesel highway vehicles, Non-road Diesel Engines, Locomotive and Marine transportation. Upcoming standards for Ocean Going Vessels.

How is this being phased in?

• Light-duty Tier 2: fully phased in - 2009. That means that the Silverados, the F-250s and the Ram pickups will have the SCR technology and will require DEF.
• Heavy Duty Diesel highway vehicle phased in - January 1, 2010. From the over-the-road 18-wheeler to the local public utility service truck - if it's made after January 1, 2010 it will have to meet the standards.
• Non-road Diesel Engines (e.g., the bulldozers knocking down trees for new home construction): fully phased in - 2014.
• Locomotive and Marine: fully phased in - 2017
• Ocean Going Vessels: Fully phased in - 2016 for vessels with SCR technology

If you wish to read the EPA's final guidance document on this SCR and DEF, issued March 2007, please enter this link in your browser:
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/cert/dearmfr/cisd0707.pdf (PDF 1,285KB)

The EPA is working to ensure that DEF is readily available. It acknowledges that producers, distributors, dealers, fleets, regulators and engine/truck OEMs all have a part to play in making sure that's the case.

The great news is that the trucking industry is fundamentally about logistics. This community can handle DEF.

Stationary

The 1990 Amendments to the Clean Air Act - This is the cornerstone legislation that drives our business

The Clean Air Interstate Rule:

This rule deals with the emission of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. It is enforced by the EPA, and therefore only required in the United Stated. There are also different levels for different states. It is especially important for the eastern states to respect this law due to the larger mortality rates. In addition to setting limits on emitted sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, coal-fired power plants now need to control mercury emissions.

March 10, 2005 - EPA issued the final Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR), which will permanently cap emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the eastern United States. When fully implemented, CAIR will reduce SO2 emissions in 28 eastern states and the District of Columbia by over 70 percent and NOx emissions by over 60 percent from 2003 levels. EPA states that CAIR will result in more than $100 billion in health and visibility benefits per year by 2015 and will substantially reduce premature mortality in the eastern United States, and these benefits will continue to grow each year with further implementation.

According to EPA, by the year 2015, the Clean Air Interstate Rule will result in:

• Nearly $100 billion in annual health benefits, annually preventing 17,000 premature deaths, millions of lost work and school days, and tens of thousands of non-fatal heart attacks and hospital admissions.
• Nearly $2 billion in annual visibility benefits in southeastern national parks, such as Great Smoky Mountains and Shenandoah.
• Significant regional reductions in sulfur and nitrogen deposition, reducing the number of acidic lakes and streams in the eastern U.S. CAIR covers 28 eastern states and the District of Columbia.

Based on an assessment of the emissions contributing to interstate transport of air pollution and available control measures, EPA has determined that achieving required reductions in the identified states by controlling emissions from power plants is highly cost effective.

In 2009, CAIR will reduce NOx emissions by 1.7 million tons or 53% from 2003 levels.

In 2015, CAIR will reduce power plant NOx emissions by 2 million tons, achieving a regional emissions level of 1.3 million tons, a 61% reduction from 2003 levels.

In 1990, national NOx emissions from power plants were 6.7 million tons, compared to 2.2 million tons that will be achieved with CAIR.

Terra Environmental Technologies is proud to be part of the solution in helping customers meet their clean air objectives.

Other Drivers:

• Ozone Transportation Commission-OTC
• State Implementation Plan (SIP) Call
• Regional Haze Rule
• Best Available Retrofit Technology (BART)