EPA, Ozone and Standards

EPA proposes new heavy-duty truck emissions rules

Green Car Congress

MARCH 8, 2022

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing new, stronger standards to promote clean air and reduce pollution from heavy-duty vehicles and engines starting in model year (MY) 2027. EPA is co-proposing two regulatory options for new NO x standards: proposed Option 1 and proposed Option 2.

EPA

EPA Emissions Ozone Pollution

Obama Administration withdraws proposed rulemaking on strengthened ozone standards

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 2, 2011

In a statement released this morning, President Barack Obama said he has requested that US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson withdraw the agency’s draft Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) rulemaking. National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Earlier post.)

Ozone

Ozone Obama Standards EPA

UB study finds link between ambient ozone exposure, artery wall thickness

Green Car Congress

MAY 31, 2019

Long-term exposure to ambient ozone appears to accelerate arterial conditions that progress into cardiovascular disease and stroke, according to a new University at Buffalo study. The study found that chronic exposure to ozone was associated with a progression of thickening of the main artery that supplies blood to the head and neck.

Ozone

Ozone Los Angeles North Carolina New York City

US EPA proposes San Joaquin Valley, South Coast, Southeast Desert as failing to meet one hour ozone air standard

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 3, 2011

The US Environmental Protection Agency announced that it is proposing to find that the San Joaquin Valley, and California’s South Coast and the Southeast Desert have failed to meet the 1-hour ozone standard by their required deadlines. Children and the elderly are most impacted by ozone pollution.

Ozone

Ozone EPA Standards Pollution

EPA proposes approval of new ozone plans for the two of the worst Air Quality Zones in US: California’s San Joaquin Valley and South Coast

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

US EPA Region 9 8-hour ozone trends, 1979-2000. Source: EPA. These State Implementation Plans (SIPs) are the roadmaps to meeting the 1997 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) of 0.08 In 2008, the 8-hour standard was lowered to 0.075 ppm. ppm standard. Click to enlarge.

Ozone

Ozone EPA Pollution 2002

EPA launches Cleaner Trucks Initiative to update NOx standards for heavy-duty trucks

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 14, 2018

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has launched the Cleaner Trucks Initiative (CTI) to further decrease NO x emissions from on-highway heavy-duty trucks and engines. The US has made major reductions in NO x emissions, but it’s been nearly 20 years since EPA updated these standards.

EPA

EPA Cleaner Standards 2001

Rice/EPA study finds ground-level ozone falling faster than CMAQ model predicted

Green Car Congress

MARCH 11, 2013

Researchers from Rice University and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report in a paper in the journal Atmospheric Chemistry that particularly in Northeastern cities, ozone levels dropped even beyond what was anticipated by cutting emissions of NO x from 2002 to 2006. This is good news. —Daniel Cohan, co-author.

Ozone

Ozone EPA 2002 2006

Hyundai Motor puts XCIENT Fuel Cell electric trucks into commercial fleet operation in California with $3.5M from EPA

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 15, 2022

million in 2021 Targeted Airshed Grant (TAG) funding from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to deploy five XCIENT Fuel Cell electric trucks in California. EPA’s TAG program aims to reduce air pollution in areas of the nation with the highest levels of ambient ozone and fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) pollution.

EPA

EPA Hyundai Commercial California

EPA Climate Change Adaptation Plan sees likely increase in tropospheric ozone, with more difficulty in attaining NAAQS in many areas

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 10, 2013

Among the many climate-related vulnerabilities that can impact its mission, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cites a likely increase in tropospheric ozone pollution as potentially making it more difficult to attain National Ambient Air Quality Standards ( NAAQS ) in many areas with existing ozone problems.

Climate Change

Climate Change Ozone Climate EPA

Study Finds Ozone Concentrations at Current Clean Air Standards Levels Can Impair Even Healthy Lungs

Green Car Congress

JULY 25, 2009

Exposure to ozone at levels currently deemed safe by the NAAQS clean air standards can have a significant and negative effect on lung function, according to researchers at the University of California, Davis. The previous primary and secondary standards were identical 8-hour standards, set at 0.08 Earlier post.).

Ozone

Ozone Standards Clean Cleaning

EPA proposes to include Southern Maine in the Federal Reformulated Gasoline Program

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 22, 2014

EPA is proposing , at the request of the State of Maine, to require the sale of reformulated gasoline ( RFG ) in York, Cumberland, Sagadahoc, Androscoggin, Kennebec, Knox and Lincoln counties in southern Maine starting in June 2015. RFG is required in cities with high smog levels and is optional elsewhere.

EPA

EPA Gasoline Ozone District of Columbia

California SCAQMD petitioning EPA for national ultra-low NOx standard for trucks

Green Car Congress

MAY 18, 2016

The Governing Board of California’s South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) earlier this year voted to petition the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to adopt tougher emission standards for engines of heavy-duty trucks to help the region meet federal clean air goals.

EPA

EPA Standards California Ozone

China study connects ozone pollution to cardiovascular health

Green Car Congress

JULY 17, 2017

Exposure to ozone, long associated with impaired lung function, is also connected to health changes that can cause cardiovascular disease such as heart attack, high blood pressure and stroke, according to a new study of Chinese adults. The findings associated ozone exposure with markers of platelet activation and increased blood pressure.

Ozone

Ozone Pollution Connect Connected

EPA, NHTSA issue One National Program Rule; EPA withdraws CA waiver for GHG and fuel economy

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 19, 2019

This action is based on the premise that federal law preempts state and local tailpipe greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standards as well as zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandates. California’s ability to enforce its Low Emission Vehicle program and other clean air standards to address harmful smog-forming vehicle emissions—i.e.,

Fuel Economy

Fuel Economy EPA Economy Fuel

Study Links Springtime Ozone Increases Above Western North America to Emissions in Asia

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 21, 2010

Springtime ozone distributions for 1984, 1995–2008 in the mid-troposphere (3.0–8.0 Springtime ozone levels above western North America are rising primarily due to air flowing eastward from the Pacific Ocean, a trend that is largest when the air originates in Asia. The US EPA recently proposed new tougher ground-level ozone standards.

Ozone

Ozone North America Asia America

EPA issues final approval for HFO-1234yf refrigerant for mobile AC systems

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 28, 2011

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued final approval for HFO-1234yf refrigerant ( earlier post ) in motor vehicle air conditioning systems. The chemical, which does not deplete the ozone layer, may now be used in air conditioning for new cars and light trucks. Using HFO-1234yf is one option available to automakers.

EPA

EPA Ozone Light Climate

EPA proposes stringent new emissions standards for light-, medium-, heavy-duty vehicles for MY 2027 and beyond

Green Car Congress

APRIL 13, 2023

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced two new proposed federal emissions standards spanning light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles for model year 2027 and beyond. The light-duty vehicle category includes passenger cars and light trucks consistent with previous EPA criteria pollutant and GHG rules.

EPA

EPA Light Standards Emissions

EPA pushes back projected release of proposed Tier 3 light-duty vehicle emissions regulations to July

Green Car Congress

APRIL 2, 2012

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has pushed back its projected release of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for Tier 3 light-duty vehicle emission and fuel standards to July 2012. The Tier 3 standards will succeed the current Tier 2 requirements. EPA’s work on the Tier 3 standards began in February, 2011.

EPA

EPA Light Emissions Ozone

US EPA proposing allowing high-octane, higher ethanol content fuels as part of Tier 3 regs; E30 as example

Green Car Congress

APRIL 3, 2013

Having approval for such a high octane certification fuel would, the EPA proposed in the Tier 3 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: help manufacturers that wish to raise compression ratios to improve vehicle efficiency, as a step toward complying with the 2017 and later light-duty greenhouse gas and CAFE standards (2017 LD GHG).

EPA

EPA Fuel Parts Gasoline

EPA proposes air pollution standards for oil and gas drilling operations; focus on capture of escaping natural gas

Green Car Congress

JULY 28, 2011

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed standards to reduce harmful air pollution from oil and gas drilling operations. These proposed updated standards—which are being issued in response to a court order—would rely on cost-effective existing technologies to reduce emissions.

Escape

Escape Gas EPA Oil

US EPA Reports National Trends Show Improvements in Air Quality

Green Car Congress

MARCH 13, 2010

Since 1990, nationwide air quality has improved significantly for the six common air pollutants: ground-level ozone; particle pollution; lead; nitrogen dioxide; carbon monoxide; and sulfur dioxide, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report “Our Nation’s Air - Status and Trends through 2008”. annual PM 2.5

EPA

EPA Ozone 2000 2008

EPA proposes retaining current NAAQS for particulate matter

Green Car Congress

APRIL 15, 2020

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to retain, without changes, the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter (PM) including both fine particles (PM 2.5 ) and coarse particles (PM 10 ). EPA sets both an annual and a 24-hour standard for fine particles (PM 2.5 ).

EPA

EPA Ozone Standards Pollution

EPA Administrator Reinstates Role of Staff Paper in Reviewing National Ambient Air Quality Standards

Green Car Congress

MAY 21, 2009

EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson has reinstated the role of a key policy document created by agency scientists (the Staff Paper) that contains staff analyses of options for the administrator to consider when setting National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) to protect human health and the environment. The new NAAQS review process.

EPA

EPA Standards Ozone Pollution

EPA waives requirements for gasoline pump vapor recovery

Green Car Congress

MAY 10, 2012

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that the systems used at gas station pumps to capture harmful gasoline vapors while refueling cars can be phased out. Since 1994, gas stations in areas that do not meet certain air quality standards have been required to use gasoline vapor recovery systems.

Gasoline

Gasoline EPA Escape Ozone

MECA emissions inventory & air quality modeling shows potential benefits of national cleaner trucks initiative at CARB limits

Green Car Congress

JUNE 26, 2020

The objective of the emission impact analysis was to respond to EPA’s request for comments as to the merits of reducing NO x emissions from heavy-duty trucks by 50 to 90% as outlined in the 6 January 2020 Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) of the CTI. Source: MECA. ppb in the west (San Bernardino, CA) and 4.9

Cleaner

Cleaner Ozone Emissions Atlanta

EPA issues emergency fuel waiver for E15 sales

Green Car Congress

MAY 2, 2022

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing an emergency fuel waiver to allow E15 gasoline to be sold during the summer driving season. The Clean Air Act (CAA) requires the use of low-volatility gasoline during the summer months in order to limit the formation of ozone pollution. EPA provides a 1.0 Earlier post.).

EPA

EPA Fuel Ozone Sale

Study quantifies impact of oil and gas emissions on Denver’s ozone problem

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 12, 2016

The first peer-reviewed study to directly quantify how emissions from oil and natural gas (O&NG) activities influence summertime tropospheric ozone (O 3 ) pollution in the Colorado Front Range confirms that chemical vapors from oil and gas activities are a significant contributor to the region’s chronic ozone problem.

Ozone

Ozone Oil Gas Emissions

PowerTrain to pay $2M penalty for selling nearly 80K engines that failed to meet Clean Air Act standards

Green Car Congress

MARCH 1, 2011

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Justice Department (DOJ) announced that Mississippi-based PowerTrain, Inc. will pay a civil penalty of $2 million to resolve claims that the company imported and sold nearly 80,000 nonroad engines and equipment from China that did not meet standards under the Clean Air Act.

Clean

Clean Cleaning District of Columbia Standards

PowerTrain to pay $2M penalty for selling nearly 80K engines that failed to meet Clean Air Act standards

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 28, 2011

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Justice Department (DOJ) announced that Mississippi-based PowerTrain, Inc. will pay a civil penalty of $2 million to resolve claims that the company imported and sold nearly 80,000 nonroad engines and equipment from China that did not meet standards under the Clean Air Act.

Clean

Clean Cleaning District of Columbia Standards

EPA to begin work on proposed rulemaking for on-road heavy-duty ultra-low NOx standard for MY 2024

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 23, 2016

Earlier this year, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) received several petitions from state and local government agencies from across the country and other organizations to increase the stringency of the on-highway heavy-duty engine NO x emission standards from 0.2 —EPA memorandum in response to petitions.

EPA

EPA Standards Ozone 2000

EPA proposes waiving Federal requirements for stations to capture gasoline vapors when vehicles refuel beginning in 2013

Green Car Congress

JULY 11, 2011

Source: EPA. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing a proposed rule under the Clean Air Act (CAA) that would waive requirements beginning in 2013 for systems used at gas station pumps to capture potentially harmful gasoline vapors while refueling cars. Most VRS are vacuum assist, according to EPA.

EPA

EPA Gasoline 2013 Ozone

EPA proposes new standards to reduce methane and VOCs emissions from oil and gas industry

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 18, 2015

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its latest set of proposed standards to reduce emissions of methane and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the oil and natural gas industry. EPA required green completions for hydraulically fractured natural gas wells in its 2012 rules. Costs and benefits.

EPA

EPA Oil Gas Emissions

EPA Administrator Outlines Seven Key Themes for Agency in 2010 and Beyond

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 13, 2010

Lisa P Jackson, Administrator of the US Environmental Protection Agency, issued a public memo to EPA employees detaling “ seven key themes to focus the work of our agency ” in 2010 and beyond. Jackson wrote that EPA will also focus on improving EPA’s internal operations, from performance measures to agency processes.

EPA

EPA 2010 Climate Change Mercury

California ARB approves air quality plan for South Coast Air Basin ahead of 2023 deadline; calls for Federal action

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 15, 2019

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) voted to approve an updated plan for the South Coast Air Basin aimed at further cutting smog-forming emissions to attain the federal 8-hour ozone standard. But it is imperative that US EPA move quickly to do its job and reduce pollution from the sources it has the responsibility to regulate.

California

California Ozone Los Angeles Pollution

PM2.5, O3 pollution associated with development of Alzheimer’s disease; new study identifies evolving axonal damage

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 23, 2018

and ozone at or above the current standards have been linked to neuroinflammation and high risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). suggesting long-term exposure to PM 2.5 , as well as ozone above the current US EPA standards, are associated with increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Exposures to concentrations of PM 2.5

Pollution

Pollution Ozone Mexico Montana

EPA issues ANPR on Clean Trucks Initiative, seeking input from public and stakeholders

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 7, 2020

The US EPA issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) for the Cleaner Trucks Initiative (CTI). The eventual CTI rulemaking will establish new, more stringent emission standards for NO x and other pollutants for highway heavy-duty engines. EPA is seeking input from the public and interested stakeholders.

EPA

EPA Ozone Clean Cleaning

Study finds marine workboat engines staying in service two times longer than estimated by EPA; emissions reduction implications

Green Car Congress

MARCH 18, 2019

Commercial workboat engines are staying in service more than two times longer than predicted by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), according to new research from the Diesel Technology Forum (DTF) and Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). —Ezra Finkin, DTF Policy and Outreach Director. Elena Craft, EDF Senior Director.

Mariner

Mariner EPA Emissions Engine

EPA awards $5M to the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) for cleaner big rigs

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 15, 2010

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $5 million to the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) to help Southern truckers and small businesses to buy cleaner big rigs. About 8 million are exposed to air quality that violates the federal standards for particulate matter.

Cleaner

Cleaner Clean Cleaning EPA

Volvo Trucks awarded $21.7M from US EPA and South Coast AQMD to deploy 70 Class 8 VNR Electric trucks

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 20, 2020

The US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Targeted Air Shed Grant Program is providing $20 million in funding, supplemented by $1.7 million from the South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) for charging infrastructure, to improve air quality in the region.

Volvo

Volvo EPA Los Angeles Grant

US reaches $1.5B settlement with Daimler AG over emissions cheating in Mercedes-Benz diesels; civil penalty of $875M

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 15, 2020

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), USDepartment of Justice (DOJ), and California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced a proposed settlement with Daimler AG and its American subsidiary Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC resolving alleged violations of the Clean Air Act and California law associated with emissions cheating.

District of Columbia

District of Columbia Emissions Diesel Mercedes

New CE-CERT report finds Cummins Wesport ISL G near-zero gas engine performs with lower NOx than EPA certification standard over range of cycles

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 2, 2017

Cummins Westport ISL G near-zero (NZ) natural gas engine ( earlier post ) meets and exceeds the certification standards during a full range of duty cycles. The engine was certified in the fall of 2016 by the EPA and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to 0.02 to 9 times higher than the NO x certification standard.

EPA

EPA Standards Gas Engine

US NOx Cap and Trade Program Lowers Smog Levels in Eastern United States

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 15, 2009

The existing US NO x cap-and-trade program lowered 2008 summertime NO x emissions from power plants and large industrial sources 62% compared to year 2000 levels and 75% lower than in 1990, according to a report released by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). State level ozone emissions in the NBP, from 1990 to 2010 (projected).

United States

United States District of Columbia Ozone 2008

California ARB to award $1M for locomotive advanced technology demonstration project

Green Car Congress

MARCH 1, 2012

The California Air Resources Board (ARB or Board) announced a solicitation for a grantee for up to $1 million to support up to two independent projects for demonstration and administration of advanced locomotive technologies that approach, meet, or exceed US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Tier-4 locomotive NO x and PM emission standards (i.e.,

California

California Ozone Pollution EPA

OptiFuel finalizing $2.6M DOE grant to demonstrate RNG hybrid line-haul locomotive

Green Car Congress

JULY 24, 2020

The program will demonstrate that a suite of commercially available, EPA-rail-certified engines present a near-term, low-risk solution to create an affordable RNG hybrid line-haul locomotive with near zero emissions while simultaneously improving fuel cost by 50%. OptiFuel’s OFS12 engine is EPA-rail-certified with emissions of 0.00

Grant

Grant Hybrid Ozone EPA

EPA proposes new heavy-duty truck emissions rules

Obama Administration withdraws proposed rulemaking on strengthened ozone standards

UB study finds link between ambient ozone exposure, artery wall thickness

US EPA proposes San Joaquin Valley, South Coast, Southeast Desert as failing to meet one hour ozone air standard

EPA proposes approval of new ozone plans for the two of the worst Air Quality Zones in US: California’s San Joaquin Valley and South Coast

EPA launches Cleaner Trucks Initiative to update NOx standards for heavy-duty trucks

Rice/EPA study finds ground-level ozone falling faster than CMAQ model predicted

Hyundai Motor puts XCIENT Fuel Cell electric trucks into commercial fleet operation in California with $3.5M from EPA

EPA Climate Change Adaptation Plan sees likely increase in tropospheric ozone, with more difficulty in attaining NAAQS in many areas

Study Finds Ozone Concentrations at Current Clean Air Standards Levels Can Impair Even Healthy Lungs

EPA proposes to include Southern Maine in the Federal Reformulated Gasoline Program

California SCAQMD petitioning EPA for national ultra-low NOx standard for trucks

China study connects ozone pollution to cardiovascular health

EPA, NHTSA issue One National Program Rule; EPA withdraws CA waiver for GHG and fuel economy

Study Links Springtime Ozone Increases Above Western North America to Emissions in Asia

EPA issues final approval for HFO-1234yf refrigerant for mobile AC systems

EPA proposes stringent new emissions standards for light-, medium-, heavy-duty vehicles for MY 2027 and beyond

EPA pushes back projected release of proposed Tier 3 light-duty vehicle emissions regulations to July

US EPA proposing allowing high-octane, higher ethanol content fuels as part of Tier 3 regs; E30 as example

EPA proposes air pollution standards for oil and gas drilling operations; focus on capture of escaping natural gas

US EPA Reports National Trends Show Improvements in Air Quality

EPA proposes retaining current NAAQS for particulate matter

EPA Administrator Reinstates Role of Staff Paper in Reviewing National Ambient Air Quality Standards

EPA waives requirements for gasoline pump vapor recovery

MECA emissions inventory & air quality modeling shows potential benefits of national cleaner trucks initiative at CARB limits

EPA issues emergency fuel waiver for E15 sales

Study quantifies impact of oil and gas emissions on Denver’s ozone problem

PowerTrain to pay $2M penalty for selling nearly 80K engines that failed to meet Clean Air Act standards

PowerTrain to pay $2M penalty for selling nearly 80K engines that failed to meet Clean Air Act standards

EPA to begin work on proposed rulemaking for on-road heavy-duty ultra-low NOx standard for MY 2024

EPA proposes waiving Federal requirements for stations to capture gasoline vapors when vehicles refuel beginning in 2013

EPA proposes new standards to reduce methane and VOCs emissions from oil and gas industry

EPA Administrator Outlines Seven Key Themes for Agency in 2010 and Beyond

California ARB approves air quality plan for South Coast Air Basin ahead of 2023 deadline; calls for Federal action

PM2.5, O3 pollution associated with development of Alzheimer’s disease; new study identifies evolving axonal damage

EPA issues ANPR on Clean Trucks Initiative, seeking input from public and stakeholders

Study finds marine workboat engines staying in service two times longer than estimated by EPA; emissions reduction implications

EPA awards $5M to the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) for cleaner big rigs

Volvo Trucks awarded $21.7M from US EPA and South Coast AQMD to deploy 70 Class 8 VNR Electric trucks

US reaches $1.5B settlement with Daimler AG over emissions cheating in Mercedes-Benz diesels; civil penalty of $875M

New CE-CERT report finds Cummins Wesport ISL G near-zero gas engine performs with lower NOx than EPA certification standard over range of cycles

US NOx Cap and Trade Program Lowers Smog Levels in Eastern United States

California ARB to award $1M for locomotive advanced technology demonstration project

OptiFuel finalizing $2.6M DOE grant to demonstrate RNG hybrid line-haul locomotive

Stay Connected