EPA issues new gas-powered engine standard

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 (UPI) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued new standards for small gas-powered engines to reduce pollutants from machines including lawn mowers.

The EPA said the new standards are designed to substantially reduce the amount of gas fumes, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and smog-forming pollutants emitted from a wide range of small gas-powered engines. The regulations go into effect in 2010 and 2011.

"EPA's new small-engine standards will allow Americans to cut air pollution as well as grass," said EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson. "These standards help fight smog in our neighborhoods and waterways as we continue to improve the environmental landscape."

The federal agency said the new standards, when fully implemented, will yield annual emission reductions of 600,000 tons of hydrocarbons, 130,000 tons of nitrogen oxide, 5,500 tons of direct particulate matter and 1.5 million tons of carbon monoxide. Officials said they expect the new standards to save approximately 190 million gallons of gasoline each year.

The rule becomes effective in 2011 for lawn and garden equipment of 25 horsepower or less, while the standards for gas-powered personal watercraft and inboard and outboard engines goes into effect in 2010.

Additional information is available at http://www.epa.gov/otaq/marinesi.htm.