BIOMASS HUB

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced yesterday new regulations to reduce emissions of harmful toxic air pollutants from stationary diesel engines.  The goal of the regulation is to reduce the emission of pollutants such as formaldehyde, benzene, and acrolein that are known to cause cancer or other serious health problems.

The emission limits apply to existing diesel engines meeting certain criteria for age, size, and use. EPA estimates that more than 900,000 of the engines generate electricity and power equipment at industrial, agricultural and other facilities. The engines also are used in emergencies to produce electricity and pump water for flood and fire control.  Emergency engines used at most residences, hospitals and other institutional facilities, and commercial facilities such as shopping centers are not covered by this rule.

The EPA’s rules open up another market opportunity for biodiesel, which burns cleaner and releases less pollutants than petrodiesel.  Without biodiesel, owners and operators of the largest of the engines will need to install emissions controls, such as catalysts, to engine exhaust systems.

Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation, explains:

Improving air quality is one the agency’s top priorities. Controlling emissions from these engines will save lives and protect our communities from serious health problems, including heart attacks, asthma and other respiratory illnesses.

EPA estimates that the rule will reduce annual air toxics emissions by 1,000 tons, particle pollution by 2,800 tons, carbon monoxide emissions by 14,000 tons, and organic compound emissions by 27,000 tons when fully implemented in 2013. The agency will issue final emissions standards for similar existing stationary engines that burn gasoline, natural gas and landfill gas, known as spark ignition engines, by August 10, 2010.

The final rule is available for download here.