Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 5, 1994 TAG: 9405050150
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
"We're not taking away your lawn mower," Mary Nichols, EPA assistant administrator for air and radiation, said at a news conference. "We're not making you turn in your lawn mower if it doesn't meet the standard."
And there will be no annual emissions tests, Nichols said.
The new standards will apply to manufacturers, many of whom were at Wednesday's news conference showing off mowers, weed whackers and other garden tools that already meet or exceed the standard.
The EPA's proposed rule will be published in the Federal Register, after which the agency will take public comments.
About 5 percent of air pollution comes from the nation's 89 million lawn mowers, garden tractors, chain saws and other gas-powered garden equipment, according to the EPA. More than 6 million tons of pollutants are spewed annually by this equipment, Nichols said.
"The fact is that one hour of operating a walk-behind gas mower is the equivalent of 111/2 hours behind the wheel of a brand new car," Nichols said.
For a weed whacker, one hour is equal to 21 hours of driving, she said. For a leaf blower, 34 hours of driving. For a chain saw, 63 hours of driving.
The EPA is proposing a two-phase strategy for reducing emissions from small gasoline engines not used on road-driven vehicles. The first phase, which goes into effect Aug.1, 1996, would set exhaust emission standards for all new small spark-emission engines.
Manufacturers are expected to meet the standards with current technology - primarily by improving the air and fuel mixture for engines. Nichols said the cost increase to consumers would be about $5 per tool.
For the second phase, the EPA will evaluate data collected during phase one and decide if the emission standards are adequate. The agency also will develop a program for controlling emissions from evaporation. It may look into requiring catalytic converters, multiple circuit carburetors, fuel injection systems and four-stroke overhead valves, as well as alternative fuels.
by CNB