Engine Manufacturers Reach Innovative Accord with EPA and California to Help Assure Cleaner Air

    CHICAGO--June 11, 2003--The Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA) announced today that they have reached an important and ground-breaking agreement with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (ARB) that will produce significant real-world improvements in air quality and engine technologies.
    Following lengthy negotiations, EMA and the two regulatory agencies mutually agreed to settle several outstanding lawsuits brought by EMA and certain members involving specific emissions standards included in recent EPA and ARB emission control regulations for heavy-duty diesel engines. EPA and ARB agreed to clarify those requirements and issue guidance documents related to the so-called Not-To-Exceed (NTE) emissions limits that were the subject of manufacturers' concern. The guidance will resolve uncertainties in the regulations and better inform engine manufacturers of the details of the requirements they must meet during the engine certification process.
    As part of the agreement, engine manufacturers volunteered to develop and implement a manufacturer-run program to test emissions from heavy-duty vehicles that are being used on the road today. This "in-use" testing program will provide valuable information on how new technology and controls are working to reduce emissions from heavy-duty vehicles under real world conditions. The program also will encourage the development of advanced portable emissions testing equipment that will make it easier to confirm that in-use vehicles continue to comply with all applicable emission standards throughout their useful lives. EPA will now develop regulations to enforce the new in-use testing program, which will initially be implemented in model year 2005.
    "This is a landmark agreement between engine manufacturers and regulators," stated Jed Mandel, President of EMA. "Each of the parties worked long and hard to resolve these issues amicably and to develop an effective solution to address real concerns - assuring that the advanced technologies being used to reduce heavy-duty engine emissions to near-zero levels continue to work throughout the life of the engine and vehicle. The new manufacturer-run in-use testing program will help assure that real world emissions from advanced heavy-duty engines remain at ultra-low levels as they operate throughout the country."
    The close cooperation among EMA, EPA, and CARB will not only result in a fully enforceable in-use testing program with performance benchmarks to assure continued emissions reductions, but also holds great promise for the future. "The in-use testing program will give engine manufacturers the information needed to identify and develop further enhancements in emissions reduction technology and to inform us about needed improvements. This agreement marks another important step in assuring continuing and significant improvements in the nation's air quality for years to come," continued Mandel. "We are very pleased with this outcome and applaud EPA and ARB for the cooperative nature of the negotiations that led to this agreement."

    The Engine Manufacturers Association is a trade association representing worldwide manufacturers of internal combustion engines used in applications such as trucks and buses, farm and construction equipment, locomotives, marine vessels, and lawn, garden and utility equipment. EMA works with government and industry stakeholders to help the nation achieve its goals of cleaner fuels, more efficient engines and cleaner air.