Posted on 09/17/2002 5:59:17 AM PDT by Tumbleweed_Connection
The Environmental Protection Agency has, for the first time, established pollution standards for "non-road engines," including snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles, officials of the agency said Monday. The new rules were created especially to deal with the pollution produced at national parks like Yellowstone and Grand Teton. They are an alternative to a ban on snowmobiling.
In all, 32 million vehicles will be affected each year by the new rules, the EPA said, resulting in a reduction of tons of hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide from the air we breathe.
"If left unregulated, pollution from these sources will continue to increase," said EPA Administrator Christie Whitman. "When fully implemented, this action will not only protect public health, but will help restore the view of our nation's treasured scenic parks and wilderness areas.
Whitman expects the new standards will be fully implemented by 2006.
In all, 32 million vehicles will be affected each year by the new rules, the EPA said, resulting in a reduction of tons of hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide from the air we breathe.
The new standards for snowmobiles call for reducing hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions by "30 percent" in 2006 with further reductions coming in 2010 and 2012. EPA says snowmobiles currently emit more than 220,000 tons of hydrocarbons and 580,000 tons of carbon monoxide emissions each year into the air across the United States.
"These emissions contribute to air toxics (such as benzene) and fine particulate matter, which is largely responsible for visibility impairment at national parks," according to EPA.
The International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association is ready to meet EPA's challenge, according to its president Ed Klim, but Klim believes the rule requiring an additional 20 percent reduction of pollutants by 2010 is unjustified and unfairly singles out the snowmobile industry.
"Each of the four snowmobile manufacturers has introduced new models with low-emission-producing engines, and they will continue to develop and refine this technology," said Klim in a statement.
"Such engines, however, because of their size, configuration and cost, may not be suitable for all classes of snowmobiles," Klim added. "Forcing manufacturers to incorporate this technology into all classes of snowmobiles could jeopardize the family sport of snowmobiling, the future of the industry and the vitality of many communities where snowmobiling makes a major economic contribution."
Environmental Defense, an environmental issues organization, believes the standards should be even tougher. A spokeswoman for the organization said the new rules announced Monday are an EPA "snow job."
"EPA is squandering an important and highly cost-effective opportunity to cut pollution from these very dirty engines. The result is bad public policy that violates EPA's duty under the Clean Air Act to establish rigorous clean air standards," said Environmental Defense senior attorney Vickie Patton.
Earlier this year, the Bush Administration reversed the Clinton Administration's ban on snowmobiles in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, instead opting for the new emission standards on the non-road engines.
Not that it's not the riders fault, or anything. But the inevitable result of this decision is going to mean more people freezing to death. And what have we gained? The Enviro-whackos just spit right back in our faces.
Bush's 1 1/2 year old policy reflects this.
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