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EPA/AR | RIN: 2060-AF75 | Publication ID: Fall 1997 |
Title: Voluntary Standards for Light-Duty Vehicles (National 49 State Low-Emission Vehicles Program) | |
Abstract: This rulemaking is a voluntary emissions standards program applicable to manufacturers of light-duty vehicles and trucks beginning in model year 1997. This program would apply only to those manufacturers that chose to opt into the program. This program is designed to be an alternative national program that provides emissions reductions equivalent to the Northeast Ozone Transport Commission's (OTC's) low-emission vehicle (LEV) program. | |
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) | Priority: Economically Significant |
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda | Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Final Rule Stage |
Major: Yes | Unfunded Mandates: No |
CFR Citation: Not yet determined (To search for a specific CFR, visit the Code of Federal Regulations.) | |
Legal Authority: Clean Air Act sec 202 Clean Air Act sec 301(a) |
Statement of Need: If agreement is reached between the OTC states and the auto makers on a voluntary 49-State LEV program, this rulemaking will establish the regulations for the LEV program. Under these regulations, auto makers would be able to volunteer to comply with more stringent tailpipe standards for cars and trucks (light-duty). Once an auto maker opted into the program, EPA would enforce the standards in the same manner as any other federal motor vehicle pollution control requirement. EPA is proposing that this program would relieve the 13 states in the Northeastern part of the country (OTR) of the December, 1994, regulatory obligation to adopt their own motor vehicle programs. This rulemaking also harmonizes Federal and California motor vehicle standards and test procedures to enable auto makers to design and test vehicles to one set of standards nationwide. |
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Alternatives: Under the CAA, EPA is prohibited from adopting more stringent auto tailpipe standards prior to fiscal year 2004. The OTC petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1994 and was granted approval to adopt the California Low-Emission Vehicle Program in the OTR. This rulemaking would establish a voluntary LEV program in 49 states. |
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Anticipated Costs and Benefits: The annualized costs of the OTC LEV Program will be roughly $400 million. The National LEV program created in this rulemaking is expected to have an annual cost of $1.1 billion. The OTC program would only apply to 2 million vehicles sold in the OTR. The National LEV program would apply to all new vehicles sold in 49 States comprising a vehicle fleet of 12.5 million vehicles sold annually. On a per car basis, EPA expects vehicle price to increase $100. The National LEV program will provide air pollution reductions throughout the country. There are currently 38 ozone nonattainment areas outside the OTR and CA with a combined population of approximately 45 million that will benefit from this voluntary national program. |
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Risks: Motor vehicles are a significant cause of smog because of emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) and nitrogen oxide (NOx). EPA has projected that, without the California LEV in the OTR, highway vehicles will account for roughly 38 percent of NOx and 22 percent of VOC emissions in 2005. EPA currently estimates that VOC emissions should be reduced by roughly 95 tons per day and NOx emissions by approximately 195 tons per day as a result of the National LEV program. |
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Timetable:
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Additional Information: SAN No. 3646. ^PRFA: Y | |
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No | Government Levels Affected: Federal, State |
Included in the Regulatory Plan: Yes | |
Agency Contact: Mike Shields Environmental Protection Agency Air and Radiation 6406-J, Washington, DC 20460 Phone:202 564-9035 Fax:202 565-2085 Email: Shields.Mike@epamail.epa.gov |