EPA proposes heavy fines for engines that miss ’02 emissions deadline

WASHINGTON (Jan. 18, 2002) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency plans to fine diesel engine makers between $3000 and $14,000 US for each engine it sells that does not meet tougher emissions standards coming into force starting in October.

The proposed schedule of fines relates to a 2004 deadline to reduce hydrocarbons plus nitrogen oxides (NMHC+NOx) emissions from diesel engines. As part of a 1998 settlement with the EPA and U.S. Justice Department, five manufacturers agreed to meet 2004 standards by October 2002.

The manufacturers were accused of violating the Clean Air Act by programming their engines to pass emissions tests in laboratories, but then alter fuel-injection timing to deliver better fuel economy and performance on the highway. The settlement included fines and commitments to fund engine research and development.

EPA said it believes the engine manufacturers will comply with the 2004 NMHC+NOx standard of 2.5 g/bhp-hr, but not necessarily by October.

Caterpillar, the only engine manufacturer not using exhaust-gas recirculation technology to meet the standard, has admitted its approach will not meet the EPA requirements until early 2003. The company has said its new fuel-injection and combustion technology, called ACERT, will miss the October deadline but will help its engines comply with the next round of emissions standards in 2007.

A public hearing on the proposed fines will be held in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 15, 2002.