Boats Could Face New Greenhouse Gas Regulations

According to data from the Western Environmental Law Center, greenhouse gas emissions from nonroad engines have increased at a faster rate (49 percent) than from motor vehicles or aircraft.

California Attorney General Jerry Brown has petitioned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to regulate “greenhouse gas” (carbon dioxide) emissions in nonroad equipment -- including pleasureboats and personal watercraft, along with construction equipment, tractors and lawn mowers, agricultural equipment, forklifts, logging gear and recreational vehicles.

“The Environmental Protection Agency has not regulated the emissions from these vehicles and engines -- just like it has failed to curb greenhouse gases from cars, ocean-going vessels and aircraft,” Brown stated in his announcement of the petition, Jan. 29. In a separate petition, Brown called for EPA regulation of greenhouse gases produced by oceangoing vessels and aircraft.

In all, the Jan. 29 petition covers about 17.8 million vessels, vehicles and pieces of powered equipment. Existing nonroad engines would not face new regulation. Other states joining California in petitioning the EPA include Connecticut, Oregon and New Jersey; and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

According to data from the EPA and the Western Environmental Law Center that was released by the attorney general’s office, greenhouse gas emissions from nonroad engines have increased at a faster rate (49 percent) than from motor vehicles or aircraft. The engines and vehicles cited in the Jan. 29 petition emitted 220 million tons of carbon dioxide in 2007, which is equivalent to the output of 40 million automobiles, the attorney general’s office reported.

The petition asks the EPA to adopt greenhouse gas emission standards under Section 213 of the Clean Air Act, for new nonroad vehicles and engines; and to adopt regulations necessary to carry out those emissions limits.