The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is proposing more stringent emissions standards on large propulsion engines used on oceangoing vessels.
The EPA rules would establish new limits on emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), and particulate matter (PM) from Category 3 marine compression-ignition (diesel) engines with cylinder displacements of 30 liters or more.
Those sorts of engines are primarily used for propulsion in oceangoing vessels and range in size from 3,000 to 100,000 horsepower. EPA is considering application of these requirements on both U.S.-flag and foreign-flag vessels. Comments are due by March 6.
EPA said without new controls oceangoing vessels will account for 34 percent of the mobile-source NOx, 45 percent of the mobile-source fine particulate matter, and 94 percent of the mobile-source SOx by 2030.
The law firm of Blank and Rome recommends companies involved in the construction, repair or operation of U.S.-flag and foreign-flag vessels operating in U.S. waters review and consider commenting on the proposed rule.
Blank and Rome said the standards, applicable to both new and existing Category 3 engines, would apply to those that:
Manufacture, sell, or import new Category 3 engines for use on U.S.-flag vessels.
Build vessels that will be U.S. flag and that use such engines.
Own or operate such U.S.-flag vessels.
Rebuild or maintain these engines.
EPA is also considering the development of standards in this rulemaking applicable to gas-turbine engines.
While current EPA marine diesel engine emission standards do not apply to foreign-flag vessels, the EPA states in the rulemaking that it will continue to coordinate its national standards for Category 3 emission limits with its activities at the International Maritime Organization and consider the applicability of the proposed Category 3 standards to foreign-flag vessels that enter U.S. ports. EPA is targeting completion of this rulemaking for Dec. 17, 2009.
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