96-2230. Control of Air Pollution; Emission Standards for New Gasoline Spark-Ignition and Diesel Compression-Ignition Marine Engines; Exemptions for New Nonroad Compression-Ignition Engines at or Above 37 Kilowatts and New Nonroad Spark-Ignition ...  

  • [Federal Register Volume 61, Number 26 (Wednesday, February 7, 1996)]
    [Proposed Rules]
    [Pages 4600-4621]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 96-2230]
    
    
    
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    ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
    40 CFR Parts 89, 90, and 91
    
    [FRL-5412-3]
    RIN 2060-AE54
    
    
    Control of Air Pollution; Emission Standards for New Gasoline 
    Spark-Ignition and Diesel Compression-Ignition Marine Engines; 
    Exemptions for New Nonroad Compression-Ignition Engines at or Above 37 
    Kilowatts and New Nonroad Spark-Ignition Engines at or Below 19 
    Kilowatts
    
    AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
    
    ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking; proposed revisions.
    
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 213(a)(3) of the Clean Air Act as amended, 
    EPA published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on November 9, 
    1994 (59 FR 55930) for emission standards for new gasoline spark-
    ignition and diesel compression-ignition marine engines. EPA believes 
    that the proposed standards will help nonattainment areas come into 
    compliance with the ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
        The Agency is now publishing this Supplemental Notice of Proposed 
    Rulemaking (SNPRM) because EPA wishes to refine its proposals regarding 
    compliance programs, and because EPA wishes to address some of the 
    comments received on the NPRM. Many of the provisions of this SNPRM 
    seek to minimize regulatory burdens proposed in the NPRM without 
    reducing environmental benefits. The proposals include, for example, 
    modified compliance requirements for small manufacturers and 
    manufacturers of sterndrive/inboard engines or old technology two-
    stroke outboard/personal watercraft engines. Also, this Notice proposes 
    an in-use averaging, banking, and trading program, and addresses 
    comments regarding consistency with the regulations on land-based 
    nonroad compression-ignition engines rated at or above 37 kilowatts 
    (kW). The Agency is proposing adjustments to the form of the proposed 
    standards for gasoline spark-ignition marine engines, and is proposing 
    changes to the level of the standards for sterndrive and inboard 
    engines. Finally, this Notice proposes to revise the criteria for a 
    national security exemption in the regulations regarding marine 
    engines, land-based nonroad compression-ignition engines 
    (37kW), and land-based nonroad spark-ignition engines 
    (19kW).
    DATES: The comment period for this rulemaking will reopen on February 
    7, 1996, for purposes of taking comment on issues raised in this SNPRM 
    and will remain open until March 8, 1996, or 30 days after the date of 
    a public hearing, if one is held.
        The Agency will hold a public hearing regarding the content of this 
    SNPRM on February 22, 1996, if it receives the request to testify at a 
    hearing by February 20, 1996. The Agency will cancel this hearing if no 
    one requests to testify. Members of the public should call the contact 
    persons indicated below to notify EPA of their interest in testifying 
    at the hearing; they may call the contact persons after February 20, 
    1996, to determine whether the hearing will be held.
    
    ADDRESSES: Interested parties may submit written comments (in 
    duplicate, if possible) for EPA consideration by addressing them as 
    follows: EPA Air Docket (LE-131), Attention: Docket Number A-92-28, 
    room M-1500, 401 M Street, SW., Washington, D.C. 20460.
        The public hearing will be held at the National Vehicle and Fuel 
    Emission Laboratory, 2565 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan, at 9 a.m.
        Materials relevant to this rulemaking are contained in this docket 
    and may be reviewed at this location from 8:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. 
    Monday through Friday. As provided in 40 CFR part 2, a reasonable fee 
    may be charged by EPA for photocopying.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Deanne R. North, Office of Mobile 
    Sources, Engine Programs and Compliance Division, (313) 668-4283, or 
    James A. Blubaugh, Office of Mobile Sources, Engine Programs and 
    Compliance Division, (202) 233-9244.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    I. Obtaining Copies of the Regulatory Language
    
        The Agency has not included in this document the proposed 
    regulatory language. Electronic copies (on 3.5''diskettes) of the 
    proposed regulatory language may be obtained free of charge by 
    visiting, writing, or calling the Environmental Protection Agency, 
    Engine Programs and Compliance Division, 2565 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, 
    MI 48105, (313) 668-4288. Refer to Docket A-92-28. A copy is also 
    available for inspection in the docket (see ADDRESSES).
        The preamble and regulatory language are also available 
    electronically on the Technology Transfer Network (TTN), which is an 
    electronic bulletin board system (BBS) operated by EPA's Office of Air 
    Quality Planning and Standards. The service is free of charge, except 
    for the cost of the phone call. Users are able to access and download 
    TTN files on their first call using a personal computer and modem per 
    the following information.
        TTN BBS: 919-541-5742 (1200-14400 bps, no parity, 8 data bits, 1 
    stop bit) Voice Helpline: 919-541-5384. Also accessible via Internet: 
    TELNET ttnbbs.rtpnc.epa.gov Off-line: Mondays from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 
    Noon ET
        A user who has not called TTN previously will first be required to 
    answer some basic informational questions for registration purposes. 
    After completing the registration process, proceed through the 
    following menu choices from the Top Menu to access information on this 
    rulemaking.
    
     GATEWAY TO TTN TECHNICAL AREAS (Bulletin Boards)
     OMS--Mobile Sources Information
     Rulemaking and Reporting
    <6> Non-Road
    <1> File area #1. Non-Road Marine Engines
    
        At this point, the system will list all available files in the 
    chosen category in chronological order with brief descriptions. To 
    download a file, select a transfer protocol that is supported by the 
    terminal software on your own computer, then set your own software to 
    receive the file using that same protocol.
        If unfamiliar with handling compressed (that is, ZIP'ed) files, go 
    to the TTN top menu, System Utilities (Command: 1) for information and 
    the necessary program to download in order to unZIP the files of 
    interest after downloading to your computer. After getting the files 
    you want onto your computer, you can quit the TTN BBS with the 
    oodbye command.
        Please note that due to differences between the software used to 
    develop the document and the software into which the document may be 
    downloaded, changes in format, page length, etc. may occur.
    
    II. Contents
    
    III. Statutory Authority and Background
        A. Statutory Authority
        B. Background
    IV. Proposed Changes; Discussion of Issues
        A. Emission Standards for Spark-Ignition Engines
        1. HC+NOX Emission Standard
        2. Proposed Emission Standard Levels 
        
    [[Page 4601]]
    
        B. Administrative Program Flexibility
        1. Sterndrive and Inboard Engine Manufacturers
        2. Small Marine Compression-Ignition Engine Manufacturers
        3. Old Technology Two-stroke Outboard Engine and Personal 
    Watercraft Manufacturers
        4. Other Potential Administrative Program Changes
        C. Small Manufacturer Criteria
        1. Sterndrive and Inboard Engine Manufacturers
        2. Marine Compression-Ignition Engine Manufacturers
        3. Outboard Engine and Personal Watercraft Manufacturers
        D. Relative Use By Age Function
        E. Manufacturer Production Line Testing Program
        F. In-use Credit Program
        G. Labeling Requirements
        H. Addition of Combat Exclusion and Competition Exclusion
        I. Engine Family Definition
        J. Harmonization with the International Maritime Organization
    V. Public Participation
        A. Comments and the Public Docket
        B. Public Hearing
    VI. Administrative Requirements
        A. Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements
        B. Impact on Small Entities
        C. Executive Order 12866
        D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
    
    III. Statutory Authority and Background
    
    A. Statutory Authority
    
        Authority for the actions proposed in this notice is granted to EPA 
    by sections 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 213, 215, 216, and 
    301(a) of the Clean Air Act as amended [42 U.S.C. 7522, 7523, 7524, 
    7525, 7541, 7542, 7543, 7547, 7549, 7550, and 7601(a)].
    
    B. Background
    
        Pursuant to section 213(a) of the Clean Air Act as amended 
    (hereafter, ``CAA''), EPA undertook a study of emissions from nonroad 
    engines and vehicles to determine whether such emissions are 
    significant contributors to ozone or carbon monoxide (CO) 
    concentrations in more than one nonattainment area. A nonattainment 
    area is a specified area that has failed to attain the applicable 
    National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for a given pollutant. 
    Based on the 1991 Nonroad Engine and Vehicle Emission Study (available 
    in the docket),1 EPA determined that nonroad emissions do, in 
    fact, contribute significantly to ozone and CO concentrations in more 
    than one NAAQS nonattainment area.2
    
        \1\ EPA Publication Number 211A-2001 (November, 1991).
        \2\ 59 FR 31306 (June 17, 1994).
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        Under section 213(a)(3) of the CAA, EPA is required to regulate 
    those categories or classes of new nonroad engines and vehicles that 
    contribute to ozone and CO air pollution. On November 9, 1994, EPA 
    published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for emission standards 
    for new gasoline spark-ignition (SI) and diesel compression-ignition 
    (CI) marine engines pursuant to section 213(a) of the CAA.3 The 
    primary pollutants affected by this rule include ozone and hydrocarbons 
    (HC) for gasoline SI engines and oxides of nitrogen (NOX) for CI 
    engines. In addition, EPA proposed that this rule have some impact on 
    particles smaller than 10 microns (PM10) and carbon monoxide (CO). 
    EPA believes the standards proposed in this rule will reduce HC 
    emissions from SI engines and reduce NOX from CI engines and help 
    areas come into compliance with the ozone NAAQS.
    
        \3\ 59 FR 55930 (November 9, 1994).
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        The proposed gasoline SI marine engine HC emission standards should 
    decrease HC emissions from marine engines by approximately 75% from 
    projected baseline emission levels by the year 2025. HC emission levels 
    are estimated to be stabilized at this percentage reduction through 
    complete fleet turnover by the year 2051. Emission reductions due to 
    this regulation for diesel CI marine engines are expected to be 
    equivalent on a per-engine basis to the reductions achieved from land-
    based CI engines. Land-based CI engines were estimated to achieve a 
    reduction in NOX of approximately 37% per year on a per-engine 
    basis (see 59 FR 31306).
        In the course of the comment period for the NPRM, some commenters 
    suggested that EPA consider new approaches to some of the items 
    addressed in the proposal; also, it became apparent that some aspects 
    of the proposed regulation were not addressed in sufficient detail in 
    the NPRM and needed additional development for further comment. This 
    SNPRM seeks to address these matters. Today's notice modifies only 
    those aspects of the November 9, 1994, NPRM that are identified herein; 
    the remainder of the proposals set forth in the NPRM remain unchanged 
    except to the extent necessary to make them consistent with the 
    proposals set forth in this SNPRM.
        EPA has received an extension of the court ordered deadline for the 
    final rulemaking. The final rulemaking must now be signed by the 
    Administrator on May 31, 1996. The court ordered deadline for this 
    rulemaking is set forth in a consent decree resulting from consolidated 
    lawsuits brought by Sierra Club and the Natural Resources Defense 
    Council against the Administrator.4
    
        \4\  Sierra Club v. Browner, Civil no. 93-0124 NHJ (D.D.C.).
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    IV. Proposed Changes; Discussion of Issues
    
    A. Emission Standards for Spark-Ignition Engines
    
        EPA has received comment suggesting that a more appropriate form of 
    average emission standard for spark-ignition engines is of the type 
    ``HC+NOX.'' Comment has indicated that an HC+NOX average 
    emission standard more appropriately recognizes the inherent SI engine 
    technology trade-off between reductions in HC and necessary increases 
    in NOX. EPA is proposing a HC+NOX average emission standard 
    structure for spark-ignition marine engines. Additionally, comment was 
    received indicating that the SD/I emission standards as proposed were 
    unnecessarily stringent and counterproductive. EPA is proposing 
    different SD/I emission standards for HC and NOX (now proposed as 
    an average HC+NOX standard) that will not require any physical 
    changes to SD/I engines.
    1. HC+NOX Emission Standard
        From an engineering perspective, it is clear that exhaust or engine 
    out HC reductions from charge crankcase scavenged 2-stroke engines 
    (e.g., old technology 2-stroke) of the magnitude proposed in the NPRM 
    lead to a small NOX increase for all spark-ignition internal 
    combustion engines that do not utilize catalyst or exhaust gas 
    recirculation technology. The HC and NOX balance can be adjusted 
    to some extent through other means, but some NOX increase is 
    inevitable if HC reductions are finalized on the order of magnitude 
    proposed. EPA recognized this fact in the NPRM by setting a HC average 
    emission standard for outboards and personal watercraft (OB/PWC) that 
    achieved dramatic reduction (i.e., a 75% reduction) and setting a 
    NOX standard that was targeted at the average of the necessary 
    increase in NOX (i.e., 6.0 g/kw-hr) across the fleet.
        Comment received in response to the NPRM from some in industry 
    indicated that the NOx emission standard proposed was too stringent and 
    that a HC+NOX average emission standard structure would be more 
    appropriate. Commentors indicated that a HC+NOX average emission 
    standard would provide them with needed flexibility when attempting to 
    appropriately calibrate the OB/PWC four-stroke and direct-injection two 
    stroke technology. 
    
    [[Page 4602]]
    Further, the NPRM standards would likely cause a low HC engine that 
    generated positive emission credits according to the HC average 
    standard to at the same time generate negative NOX credits. 
    Therefore, the low HC engine would have to cover the negative NOx 
    credits with positive NOX credits from other engines. These other 
    engines would by nature have higher HC. Commentors suggested that the 
    way to address this perverse effect would be to set a HC+NOX 
    average emission standard. Although the perverse effect exists under 
    combined or separate HC and NOX standards, a combined standard 
    gives manufacturers more flexibility to calibrate engines, while still 
    achieving overall targets. This calibration flexibility may be 
    appropriate because OB/PWC four stroke technology and direct injection 
    two stroke technology have similar overall levels of HC+NOX, while 
    four stroke technology is cleaner on HC but would be more likely to 
    have emissions above the separate average NOX emission standard. 
    An emission standard which allows HC and NOX to be averaged 
    together may treat these two control technologies more equitably.
        EPA did not propose a HC+NOX average emission standard 
    structure in the NPRM and requested comment surrounding the relative 
    valuation of HC versus NOX in terms of air quality. Air quality is 
    determined according to a variety of local and regional conditions, 
    including the relative background concentrations of volatileSince the 
    NPRM, EPA has moved forward with two rulemakings that contain 
    HC+NOX emission standards based on a 1 to 1 weighting of the two 
    pollutants. This type of emission standard, HC+NOX, was finalized 
    for small gasoline engines under 19 kilowatt,5 was discussed in an 
    ANPRM for on-highway heavy-duty engines,6 and has been promulgated 
    for on-highway heavy-duty engine emission standards in the past. The 
    issue of weighting other than 1 to 1 did not appear to be a concern in 
    public comment to these prior rulemakings. EPA requests further comment 
    on the issue of weighting.
    
        \5\ 60 FR 34582 (July 3, 1995).
        \6\ 60 FR 45580 (August 31, 1995).
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        Further a HC+NOX average ard structure is inherently inter-
    pollutant averaging. The Agency is not opposed to considering inter-
    pollutant averaging as a form of emission standard structure.
        With respect to this particular marine regulation, EPA believes 
    this combined HC+NOX average emission standard may be less of a 
    potential concern from the perspective of air quality and HC/NOX 
    weighting given the magnitude of the large HC inventory reductions 
    proposed and the comparatively tiny increase in NOX inventories, 
    which are small to begin with, resulting from the separate HC and 
    NOX emission standards proposed in the NPRM. Further, the NOX 
    emission standard is proposed to be phased into a combined HC+NOX 
    emission standard over the 9 year phase-in period at a gradual rate, 
    rather than allowing the final year NOX increase in the first year 
    of implementation (see detailed discussion of proposed NOX phase-
    in in section IV.A.1.a below). Thus, it doesn't appear reasonable to 
    say that a HC+NOX average emission standard structure would have a 
    significant negative environmental impact. However, EPA requests 
    comment should anyone think there may be a negative environmental 
    impact.
        EPA requests comment on its proposal to finalize a HC+NOX 
    average emission standard for spark-ignition gasoline engines. 
    Commenters are encouraged to comment on the appropriateness of an 
    HC+NOX average emission standard, as well as any variation on the 
    proposal. EPA is particularly interested in any data that may further 
    characterize the relative value of HC versus NOX with respect to 
    air quality. Among other possibilities, should EPA determine that the 
    combined standard would have a negative environmental impact, EPA may 
    finalize separate HC and NOX average standards for SI engines. 
    However, the flexibilities afforded by a HC+NOX emission standard 
    may encourage manufacturers greater flexibility to bring clean HC 
    technology into the marketplace earlier than if the standards were 
    separate.
    2. Proposed Emission Standard Levels
        a. OB/PWC. EPA proposes to retain the NPRM average emission 
    standard levels for OB/PWC of 6.0 g/kw-hr NOX and the associated 
    HC average emission standards which result in a 75% reduction in HC by 
    model year (MY) 2006. The HC+NOX average emission standard for OB/
    PWC is proposed to be the sum of these NPRM proposed average emission 
    standard levels, although NOX is proposed to be phased-in 
    gradually over the 9 year phase-in period. Therefore, the following 
    formulas and tables summarize the HC+NOX average emission standard 
    proposed today for OB/PWC.7
    
        \7\  The level of the OB/PWC emission standard for CO proposed 
    in the NPRM remains unchanged.
    
    HCbase=(151+557/P0.9) or 300 g/kW-hr, whichever is lower, 
    where:
    HCbase=hydrocarbon base emission standard in g/kW-hr
    P=rated power of the engine family in kilowatt (kW).
    
        This HCbase is reduced over a 9 year phase-in period beginning 
    in MY 1998 and ending in MY 2006. The average HC standard curve for a 
    given MY is determined by the product of the HCbase curve function 
    and the MY factor as shown in Table 1. The MY factor reflects equal 
    percentage reductions per year from the baseline over the nine year 
    phase-in period, resulting in a 75 percent decrease when fully 
    implemented. For example, the average HC emission standard in 2004 is 
    the product of the 2004 HC MY factor, 0.417, and the HCbase 
    function. The resulting HC average emission standard function for MY 
    2004 is as follows:
    
        Also, given the limitation on HCbase of 300 g/kW-hr maximum, 
    the 2004 emission standard may not be greater than 0.417-300=125.1 g/
    kW-hr.
    
             Table 1--Gasoline Spark-Ignition OB/PWC Marine Engines         
                         [HC Average Emission Standards]                    
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      HC MY 
                              Model year                             factor 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    1998..........................................................     0.917
    1999..........................................................     0.833
    2000..........................................................     0.750
    2001..........................................................     0.667
    2002..........................................................     0.583
    2003..........................................................     0.500
    2004..........................................................     0.417
    2005..........................................................     0.333
    2006 and after................................................     0.250
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        Table 2 contains the HC+NOX average emission standards 
    proposed today. These average emission standards represent the 
    summation of the average emission standards proposed in the NPRM.
    
             Table 2.--Gasoline Spark-Ignition OB/PWC Marine Engines        
                       [HC+NOX Average Emission Standards]                  
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            HC+NOX average emission standard
                  Model year                              by MY             
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    1998..................................  (0.917 x (151+557/P0.9))+ (1/9 x
                                             (6.0-2.0))+2.0.                
    1999..................................  (0.833 x (151+557/P0.9))+ (2/9 x
                                             (6.0-2.0))+2.0.                
    2000..................................  (0.750 x (151+557/P0.9))+ (3/9 x
                                             (6.0-2.0))+2.0.                
    2001..................................  (0.667 x (151+557/P0.9))+ (4/9 x
                                             (6.0-2.0))+2.0.                
    2002..................................  (0.583 x (151+557/P0.9))+ (5/9 x
                                             (6.0-2.0))+2.0.                
    2003..................................  (0.500 x (151+557/P0.9))+ (6/9 x
                                             (6.0-2.0))+2.0.                
    2004..................................  (0.417 x (151+557/P0.9))+ (7/9 x
                                             (6.0-2.0))+2.0.                
    
    [[Page 4603]]
                                                                            
    2005..................................  (0.333 x (151+557/P0.9))+ (8/9 x
                                             (6.0-2.0))+2.0.                
    2006 and after........................  (0.250 x (151+557/P0.9))+6.0.   
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
        The proposed HC+NOX average emission standards in Table 2 are 
    derived by adding the average HC emission standards that were proposed 
    in the NPRM to phased-in NOX levels. The NOX baseline is 2.0 
    g/kw-hr and is gradually increased over the phase-in to 6.0 g/kw-hr. 
    EPA chose this phase-in approach for the NOX part of the average 
    HC+NOX emission standard because it encourages manufacturers to 
    avoid increases in NOX all at once.
        Further, this approach eliminates any windfall credits from the 
    point of view of the market as a whole. If the standard were phased-in 
    differently, such as setting the 6.0 NOX level earlier than MY 
    2006, it could be said that windfall NOX credits would be 
    generated because the overall fleet NOX average would be less than 
    6.0 g/kw-hr. Currently, the overall fleet average is at approximately 
    2.0 g/kw-hr. To allow a 6.0 g/kw-hr NOX average in 1998 allows 
    windfall credits equal to nearly 4.0 g/kw-hr of NOX from the 
    emission rate perspective. EPA mitigated this problem somewhat in the 
    NPRM proposal by disallowing NOX credit banking. However, it would 
    be cumbersome to disallow NOX credit banking under today's 
    proposal for a combined HC+NOX average standard in which a 
    NOX credit is the same as a HC credit. Therefore, EPA thinks the 
    most equitable way to phase-in the targeted NOX level is to 
    gradually phase it in from the current levels to the targeted level in 
    equal percentages over the 9 year phase-in, which is what is proposed 
    in Table 2.
        At the same time, because of the inherent flexibility with a 
    combined HC+NOX emission standard, the gradual phase-in should not 
    inhibit the introduction of clean technology early. Further, the 
    HC+NOX emission standard clearly achieves the same overall control 
    as the proposal, if not better control for NOX. EPA requests 
    comment on the way in which the NOX average emission standard 
    should be combined with the HC emission standard over the phase in 
    period. Comment should address the specific NOX numbers that are 
    recommended for each phase-in year and the rationale supporting the 
    recommendation, including whether windfall credits are associated with 
    the recommendation.
        b. SD/I Engines. Comment received on the NPRM from some in industry 
    indicated that the proposed emission standards for sterndrive and 
    inboard (SD/I) engines are inappropriate because they would increase 
    costs and thereby depress sales of SD/I engines, the cleaner engines in 
    the marketplace. As stated in the NPRM, uncontrolled SD/I's are cleaner 
    than OB/PWC's would be in the MY 2006 at the end of the phase-in. When 
    EPA proposed emission standards for SD/I engines in the NPRM, EPA 
    thought the standards would incur very little, if any, additional costs 
    because they would simply require tighter calibration of SD/I engines.
        Now, comments suggest that the necessary engines changes would be 
    more costly than EPA expected and would adversely affect SD/I operation 
    and sales. The emission standards proposed in the NPRM would require 
    the manufacturers to spend money recalibrating the engines. The 
    recalibration would cause the engines to have poor operating 
    characteristics. Alternatively, because manufacturers may not meet the 
    corporate average by recalibration alone, exhaust gas recirculation may 
    need to be applied. Exhaust gas recirculation is costly and would not 
    provide much environmental benefit. Hence, EPA now believes it would be 
    counterproductive for EPA to finalize the emission standards for SD/I 
    engines proposed in the NPRM because that action would introduce 
    negative market forces which would discourage manufacturers from 
    expanding the market with new models of cleaner SD/I engines and 
    discourage people from buying the cleaner engines.
        For these reasons, EPA is now proposing to apply two-thirds of the 
    final phase-in MY 2006 OB/PWC HC+NOX emission standard to SD/I 
    engines as an emission cap beginning in SD/I MY 1998.8 Thus, SD/I 
    engines would not be allowed to exceed two-thirds of the MY 2006 OB/PWC 
    average emission standard of (0.250 x (151+557/P0.9))+6) in the 1998 
    MY. Therefore, the 1998 MY emission standard for SD/I engines is shown 
    in the following equation.
    
        \8\ The level of the SD/I emission standard for CO proposed in 
    the NPRM would remain unchanged.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        EPA believes that SD/I engines are much cleaner than this proposed 
    emission level. All data available to EPA clearly shows that all SD/I 
    engines have emission levels that are much below this level. Therefore, 
    manufacturers will not need to make any changes to SD/I engines to 
    achieve two-thirds of the MY 2006 OB/PWC average emission standard as a 
    cap type standard.
        EPA requests comment on this emission standard proposal for SD/I 
    engines, particularly any comment indicating that any particular type 
    of SD/I engine would be likely to exceed the proposed level. Refer to 
    the docket for further discussion of the emission levels associated 
    with SD/I engines.9 EPA does not think backsliding is a concern at 
    the proposed emission standard level, primarily because if backsliding 
    were to occur, it seems that it would have occurred already, since 
    these engines are currently unregulated and future technology is more 
    likely to result in lower emissions, not backsliding.
    
        \9\ Refer to EPA Air Docket A-92-28, docket submission IV-H-01.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        EPA is considering whether a report should be submitted by the SD/I 
    industry or by SD/I manufacturers that indicates the emission levels of 
    the engines based on the voluntary testing that is performed by 
    manufacturers. For example, manufacturers already do testing of the SD/
    I engines. Requiring a biennial report of this data (e.g., test results 
    on specific test procedures, engine family identification, test fuel, 
    type of engine: prototype, development, production, in-use or field 
    engine) would seem to adequately identify if backsliding is or is not 
    occurring. EPA requests comment whether EPA should finalize such a 
    requirement or whether EPA should ask the SD/I manufacturers to submit 
    these reports voluntarily.
        In the alternative, EPA proposes not to apply emission standards to 
    SD/I engines. EPA believes Section 213(a)(3) of the CAA offers the 
    Agency the flexibility either to finalize the emission standards for 
    SD/Is proposed above or not to impose emissions standards for SD/I 
    engines, given the unique circumstances presented by SD/Is.
        Section 213(a)(3) directs EPA to establish emission standards for 
    ``classes or categories'' of new nonroad engines which achieve ``the 
    greatest degree of emission reduction achievable through the 
    application of technology * * *., giving appropriate consideration to 
    the cost of applying such technology within the period of time 
    available to manufacturers'' and other factors. 42 U.S.C. 7545(a)(3). 
    EPA is proposing in this rule to treat all marine spark-ignition 
    engines as one ``class or category'' of new nonroad engines for which 
    EPA is establishing emission standards. SD/Is would constitute a 
    subclass or subcategory of the marine SI class or category. Given this 
    approach, 
    
    [[Page 4604]]
    EPA believes that, depending on circumstances on which it seeks comment 
    below, the HC+NOX emission standards proposed for OB/PWC plus 
    either (1) an SD/I HC+NOX standard set at two-thirds the MY 2006 
    OB/PWC HC+NOX standard, or (2) no SD/I HC or NOX standard at 
    all, satisfy the criteria set forth in Section 213(a)(3). In the unique 
    circumstances presented by the marine SI industry, HC+NOX 
    emissions from unregulated SD/I engines will be dramatically cleaner 
    than HC+NOX emissions from MY 2006 and later OB/PWC regulated at 
    the levels proposed in this rule. Given this fact, and the opportunity 
    for some substitution of SD/I for OB/PWC in the market place, it is 
    appropriate for EPA to consider what emissions standards for SD/Is, if 
    any, will most appropriately satisfy the criteria of Section 213(a)(3) 
    viewing marine SI engines as a whole.
        EPA believes that requiring SD/Is to comply with two-thirds of the 
    MY 2006 OB/PWC HC+NOX emission standard would achieve greater 
    emission reductions from marine SI engines as a class or category than 
    would the SD/I emission standard levels proposed in the NPRM, at less 
    cost to the SI industry. If EPA were to finalize the SD/I HC+NOX 
    standard proposed in this Notice, EPA would encourage the cleaner SD/I 
    engine in the market by virtually eliminating any regulatory costs on 
    SD/I engines (see discussion of minimal administrative burdens for SD/I 
    engines, in Section IV.B.1 below). The minimal regulatory burden and 
    consequent lower cost to SD/I engines compared to OB/PWC should 
    encourage manufacturers to offer a greater range of SD/I engines, 
    including smaller SD/Is that could compete with OB/PWC. Public health 
    and the environment in turn would benefit from the emissions reductions 
    achieved through any substitution of SD/Is for OB/PWC, and at lesser 
    cost to the SI engine industry than the more stringent SD/I emission 
    standards proposed in the NPRM.
        EPA is proposing in the alternative to finalize no HC or NOX 
    emission standard for SD/Is because this alternative may achieve 
    greater emission reductions from SI engines as a class or category than 
    would the SD/I HC+NOX standard proposed above, at lesser cost to 
    the SI industry. While the option of applying two-thirds of the MY 2006 
    OB/PWC HC+NOX standard level to SD/I would not require 
    manufacturers to physically change the engines in any way, to the 
    extent that an emission standard causes any costs on SD/I such 
    standards may tend to limit SD/I substitution for OB/PWC and therefore 
    offer somewhat less emission reductions than would no SD/I standard at 
    all, while imposing more cost on the SI industry.
        On the other hand, finalizing no HC or NOX emission standard 
    for SD/I raises a potential concern. There is the issue whether SD/I 
    standards at the level proposed here would offer a useful backstop 
    against emissions backsliding by SD/I. EPA believes that emissions 
    backsliding, i.e. worsening emissions performance, may not be a 
    realistic concern with SD/I because of several reasons. First, engines 
    have been moving to electronic fuel injection which will provide better 
    control over engine and emission performance. Customer demands for both 
    low odor and low smoke discourage manufacturers from selling engines 
    that have higher emissions. Also, the engine block manufacturers are 
    improving the emission performance of the engine blocks because of 
    carryover of on-highway emission performance through engine block 
    design.
        If EPA finalizes the alternative of no HC or NOX emission 
    standard for the SD/I subcategory, EPA is considering a suboption of 
    issuing guidance to states that provides information of the relative 
    emissions form the class or category of SI engines. This guidance would 
    explain that EPA did not finalize emission standards on the subclass or 
    subcategory of SD/I engines because they are relatively clean. EPA 
    requests comment on whether industry could or should provide data 
    either voluntarily or by requirement that exemplifies the emission 
    characteristices of the fleet of SD/I engines in support of this 
    guidance based on the current testing of SD/I engines which industry 
    already performs as noted above. EPA also requests comment on the 
    frequency with which manufacturers should be asked to require to 
    provide such data.
        EPA requests comment on both proposals regarding HC and NOX 
    emission standards for SD/I. Commenters should specify whether they 
    prefer some level of HC and NOX emission standards for SD/Is or 
    none at all, and why they prefer one approach versus the other. If the 
    commenter favors some level of HC and NOX emission standards, EPA 
    requests comment on the proposal to combine the standards into one 
    HC+NOX standard and on the proposal to set the HC+NOX 
    standard for SD/I at two-thirds of the proposed MY 2006 HC+NOX 
    standard for OB/PWC. Should a commenter prefer a different HC+NOX 
    standard level, EPA encourages the commenter to identify the standard 
    level that it prefers and offer an explanation for this preference. EPA 
    also seeks comment on which approach toward SD/I emissions best 
    satisfies the criteria set forth in Section 213(a)(3), and why.
    
    B. Administrative Program Flexibility
    
        The Agency is proposing several modifications to the proposed rules 
    in order to offer administrative program flexibility to certain types 
    of engine technology and certain categories of small manufacturers, as 
    described below in section C., ``Small Manufacturer Criteria.''
        Specifically, EPA proposes to allow the Administrator to certify 
    all sterndrive and inboard (SD/I) engine families on the basis of much 
    less information than that proposed in the NPRM. As explained in more 
    detail below, EPA proposes to find as part of this rulemaking that EPA 
    currently has enough testing and other information regarding engines 
    which meet EPA's proposed regulatory definition for SD/I such that 
    additional emissions testing is not needed to determine if an SD/I 
    engine family should be certified as conforming to the HC+NOX and 
    CO standards proposed in this rule. This finding would make it 
    unnecessary for manufacturers to submit test results in order to 
    receive a certificate of conformity. To apply for a certificate for an 
    engine family, the manufacturer need only submit a simple affirmation 
    that the engine family meets the SD/I definition and related 
    affirmations. Upon receipt of the affirmations, EPA would typically 
    issue a certificate of conformity. In addition, EPA proposes to exempt 
    all SD/I engine manufacturers from the proposed regulatory provisions 
    concerning manufacturer-conducted production line and in-use testing 
    requirements, related test equipment and test procedure provisions, and 
    selective enforcement auditing.
        The Agency received comments urging EPA to drop manufacturer-
    conducted production line testing and in-use testing requirements for 
    all marine CI engines proposed in the NPRM. The Agency now proposes to 
    apply the EPA-directed production line and in-use testing provisions to 
    marine CI engines that already apply to similar land-based CI engines, 
    as set forth in 40 CFR part 89 and discussed in more detail below. 
    Also, the Agency is proposing some administrative program flexibilities 
    for old technology two-stroke outboard and personal watercraft (OB/PWC) 
    engines, for the reasons set forth below.
        Finally, EPA proposes that the administrative programs for small 
    marine CI engine manufacturers focus 
    
    [[Page 4605]]
    on simplified certification and reduced enforcement requirements.
        EPA believes it has authority under the CAA to offer the 
    administrative program flexibility that is described in more detail 
    below. The CAA states that the marine engine emission standards, when 
    finalized, shall be subject to Sections 206, 207, and 208 of the Act, 
    ``with such modifications of the applicable regulations * * * as the 
    Administrator deems appropriate.'' 42 U.S.C. 7547(d). This statutory 
    language grants EPA substantial discretion to offer flexibility in the 
    compliance provisions of the marine engine final rule. The paragraphs 
    below describe each of the administrative program flexibility 
    provisions proposed in this SNPRM and explains EPA's rationale for 
    offering such flexibility.
    1. Sterndrive and Inboard Engine Manufacturers
        The Agency believes that any regulations it issues for marine 
    engines should offer substantial compliance flexibility to 
    manufacturers of gasoline-fueled SD/I engines, in part because the 
    market is comprised mostly of small manufacturers, but principally 
    because the engines are inherently low-emitting compared to the OB/PWC 
    alternative. In fact, the market is moving towards even cleaner 
    technology (e.g., electronic fuel control) in the future without 
    regulation. In the absence of compliance flexibility, small SD/I engine 
    manufacturers would be particularly at risk, because their receipts 
    would not bear the cost of compliance as proposed in the NPRM. The 
    Agency does not wish to drive out of business manufacturers of engines 
    that are already relatively clean.
        The Agency recognizes that four-stroke SD/I engines are currently 
    cleaner than OB/PWC engines with respect to hydrocarbon (HC) emissions. 
    Even at the 75 percent HC reduction level proposed in the NPRM for OB/
    PWC engines, SD/I engines will still be much cleaner on average than 
    controlled OB/PWC. Because EPA wants its regulations to encourage 
    purchasers to substitute SD/I engines for OB/PWC engines rather than 
    hinder that substitution, it is proposing certification flexibility for 
    all manufacturers of SD/I engines as a means of keeping the costs of 
    SD/I engines low.
        In the NPRM, EPA discussed the issue of averaging between OB/PWC 
    engines and SD/I engines as a way to encourage the purchase of the 
    inherently cleaner SD/I engines. The Agency stated at that time that 
    substitution of SD/I engines for OB/PWC engines was possible in some 
    horsepower ranges and was environmentally desirable. In developing the 
    NPRM, EPA considered averaging systems and other mechanisms (such as 
    relative standard stringency) to encourage this substitution.
        Comments on the proposal stated that many SD/I engine manufacturers 
    were in fact very small operations that marinized engine blocks 
    purchased from automobile manufacturers. Some of these companies only 
    employ two people. Additionally, EPA received comment that the 
    certification and testing burden was very onerous for such entities. 
    The standards originally proposed for SD/I engines were set at a level 
    that EPA believed would keep prices low and encourage growth in the SD/
    I market relative to the market for OB/PWC. However, these commenters 
    believed that, rather than encouraging the growth of the cleaner SD/I 
    market, EPA's proposed administrative program would have the unintended 
    effect of forcing small SD/I manufacturers out of business, shrinking 
    competition, and raising SD/I prices.
        The Agency remains interested in encouraging the relatively clean 
    SD/I technology and is concerned that burdens of certification and 
    other administrative programs would decrease the substitution of SD/I 
    engines for the higher-polluting OB and PWC. Therefore, EPA is 
    proposing a very minimal certification process for all manufacturers of 
    SD/I engines.
        The certification process is proposed to simply include 
    manufacturer submittal of an affirmation that the engine family meets 
    the regulatory definition of a sterndrive or inboard engine, an 
    affirmation that the manufacturer has no test data or other engine 
    information indicating that the engine family would not comply with the 
    emission standard, and an affirmation that the engine meets applicable 
    safety requirements. Upon receipt, the Administrator would issue a 
    certificate of conformity, unless, based on all available information, 
    the Administrator has reason to believe that the engine family may not 
    comply with the applicable emission standards and safety requirements 
    and therefore is not able to determine that the engine family conforms 
    and should be issued a certificate.
        While EPA believes current SD/Is meet the proposed emission 
    standards,10 circumstances could arise in the future where EPA may 
    have reason to doubt that a particular engine family meets the 
    applicable emission standards. Therefore, the Agency proposes that in 
    such circumstances EPA may require, at its discretion, other 
    information on the engine family in addition to the affirmations 
    specified above. For example, the Administrator may require the 
    manufacturer to demonstrate (on the basis of previous emission tests, 
    development tests, or other information) that the engine will conform 
    with applicable emission standards.
    
        \10\ Refer to EPA Air Docket A-92-28, docket submission IV-H-01
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        EPA expects this proposed certification process for SD/I engine 
    families to be straightforward, involving no more than a one-page 
    submittal to EPA and an expedient issuance of a Certificate of 
    Conformity. The submitter would not need to include test results in its 
    submission if its engine meets the regulatory definition of an SD/I 
    because EPA would determine as part of this rule that EPA currently has 
    enough emission testing and other information regarding engines meeting 
    the SD/I definition such that additional testing is not needed to 
    determine whether an SD/I engine family should be certified. EPA is 
    exploring electronic data submission alternatives that may make this 
    process virtually burden free for the manufacturers.
        EPA believes that the engines currently are well below the proposed 
    emission standards level. EPA has test results on the regulated test 
    procedure and confidential test result information submitted by 
    manufacturers. All data is presented in the docket, with any 
    confidential data masked so as to not reveal its origin (Refer to 
    Docket A-92-28 submission IV-H-01). EPA encourages comment on this data 
    and the submission of further data that either supports or refutes the 
    data presented.
        The Agency believes Section 206 of the CAA offers it the 
    flexibility to determine through rulemaking that EPA currently has 
    enough testing and other information such that additional emissions 
    testing is not needed to determine whether an SD/I engine family should 
    be certified as conforming to the applicable emission regulations 
    (i.e., a cap of two-thirds of the proposed MY 2006 OB/PWC HC+NOX 
    emission standard and a CO cap of 400 g/kW-hr). While the language of 
    Section 206 contemplates an individualized, adjudicatory procedure, 
    Supreme Court precedent allows EPA to establish issues common to many 
    adjudications through rulemaking. See American Hospital Assn. v NLRB, 
    499 U.S. 606, 612 (1991) (``[E]ven if a statutory scheme requires 
    individualized determinations, the decisionmaker has the authority to 
    rely on rulemaking to resolve certain issues of general applicability 
    unless Congress 
    
    [[Page 4606]]
    clearly expresses an intent to withhold that authority.''); Heckler v. 
    Campbell, 461 U.S. 458, 467 (1983). Therefore, EPA believes that, 
    should information available to EPA support a finding that additional 
    emissions testing is not needed to determine whether SD/I engine 
    families should be certified, it is appropriate for EPA to make this 
    finding through rulemaking and offer for SD/I engine families the 
    minimally burdensome individualized determination of conformity 
    described above. The individualized determination would basically 
    address whether a specific engine family fits the definitions for 
    sterndrive or inboard engines proposed in this rulemaking, whether 
    there is any information specific to this engine family that would 
    indicate it in fact would not be expected to conform to the standards, 
    and whether the specific engine family meets the safety criteria of 
    Section 206(a)(3).
        In addition, the Agency is proposing to exempt SD/I manufacturers 
    from manufacturer production-line testing, manufacturer in-use testing, 
    and related requirements. EPA is proposing that Part 91 subparts A, B, 
    H, I (recall portions only), J, K, L, and M apply to SD/I engine 
    manufacturers, in order to minimize compliance burdens on these 
    manufacturers. While EPA is proposing to exempt these manufacturers 
    from subpart G, Selective Enforcement Auditing, EPA retains authority 
    under Sections 206(b)(1) and 208 to test newly manufactured engines and 
    to inspect production facilities and processes to determine whether the 
    manufacturer is complying with the information submitted for 
    certification. Further, EPA would retain authority under Section 
    206(b)(2) of the CAA to suspend or revoke the certificate for engines 
    that do not conform with applicable emission standards.
        The Agency requests comment as to which subparts of Part 91 should 
    apply to SD/I engine manufacturers and comment on the proposed 
    certification process as outlined above. Further, EPA requests comment 
    on its proposal to find through rulemaking that EPA currently has 
    enough testing or other information regarding engines which meet the 
    regulatory definition of SD/I such that additional emissions testing is 
    not needed to determine whether an SD/I engine family conforms to the 
    HC+NOx and CO emission standards proposed in this rule. Commenters 
    are encouraged to evaluate the data on which EPA proposes to rely and 
    to submit to EPA any additional relevant data, together with the 
    commenter's evaluation of the submitted data. EPA requests comment on 
    whether it is appropriate to treat small SD/I manufacturers (as defined 
    in more detail below) separately from other SD/I manufacturers and if 
    so, which subparts of Part 91 should apply to small SD/I manufacturers.
        Finally, EPA requests comment on the following definitions. A 
    sterndrive engine is defined as a 4-stroke engine (unless otherwise 
    designated by the Administrator (e.g., a personal watercraft engine)) 
    that is designed such that the drive unit is external to the hull of 
    the marine vessel, while the engine is internal to the hull of the 
    marine vessel. An inboard engine is defined as a 4-stroke engine 
    (unless otherwise designated by the Administrator (e.g., a personal 
    watercraft engine)) that is designed such that the propeller shaft 
    penetrates the hull of the marine vessel while the engine and the 
    remainder of the drive unit is internal to the hull of the marine 
    vessel. Commenters are encouraged to offer any changes to the 
    definitions which are needed to allow the commenter to concur with 
    EPA's proposal to offer non-testing certification to qualifying SD/I 
    engine families. Commenters should explain the reasons for any proposed 
    alterations to the definitions.
    2. Marine Compression-Ignition Engine Manufacturers
        In comments responding to the NPRM, several small CI engine 
    marinizers characterized the proposed administrative program 
    requirements as very burdensome for the small proportion of marine 
    emissions attributable to such engines. Marinizers informed EPA that 
    they are truly small manufacturers, in terms of market share, 
    production, and number of employees, compared to all other 
    manufacturers of nonroad diesel engines. Furthermore, they believe that 
    their marinized engines may already meet or nearly meet the proposed 
    standards.
        The Agency now proposes certification program flexibility for small 
    marine CI engine manufacturers; that is, small marine CI engine 
    manufacturers will have reduced certification data requirements. EPA 
    proposes that part 89 subparts A, B, C, G, H, I, J, and K be applicable 
    to manufacturers of small marine CI engines. This means that the 
    manufacturers must undergo simplified certification, while receiving 
    reduced enforcement requirements. While EPA is not proposing to apply 
    subpart F, Selective Enforcement Auditing, to small marine CI 
    manufacturers, EPA retains authority under Sections 206(b)(1) and 208 
    to test newly manufactured engines and to inspect production facilities 
    and processes to determine whether the manufacturer is complying with 
    the information submitted for certification. The Agency requests 
    comment as to which subparts of part 89 should apply to the small 
    marine CI engine manufacturers. Further, EPA would retain authority 
    under Sec. 206(b)(2) of the CAA to suspend or revoke the certificate 
    for engines that do not conform with applicable emission standards.
        The Agency has also received comments in response to the NPRM 
    regarding the proposed production line testing and in-use testing 
    requirements for marine CI engines. The comments did not support 
    finalizing these two types of testing because EPA does not require them 
    for land-based CI engines in 40 CFR Part 89, and many of the land-based 
    CI engine blocks are used for marine CI engines. If EPA were to 
    finalize its requirements as proposed, it would impose different 
    requirements for essentially some of the same engines. The Agency has 
    considered these comments and now proposes not to require marine CI 
    engines to comply with the production line and in-use testing 
    provisions that EPA proposed in the NPRM; instead, it proposes that 
    marine CI engines be subject to the SEA testing and recall provisions 
    that apply to land-based CI engines greater than 37 kilowatts (kW), as 
    set forth in 40 CFR part 89.
    3. Old Technology Two-Stroke Outboard Engine and Personal Watercraft 
    Manufacturers
        The Agency received significant comment in response to the NPRM 
    regarding the cost of the CO cap and the administrative programs 
    relative to old technology two-stroke OB/PWC engines. Manufacturers 
    argued that imposing the costs of certification testing and enforcement 
    program testing on old technology OB/PWC engines is not a cost-
    effective requirement, because these engines will be phased out of 
    production anyway. Also, many old technology OB/PWC exceed the CO cap, 
    and money would have to be spent to redesign product and production 
    lines to meet the CO standard even though the old technology will be 
    phased-out. Manufacturers would rather spend their limited resources on 
    developing and producing cleaner, new technology OB/PWC engines.
        The new, cleaner technology will require extensive changes in 
    production lines and engine design. The engine changes do not simply 
    consist of using a different fuel system, but involve designing whole 
    new engines. Therefore, millions of dollars will be 
    
    [[Page 4607]]
    needed for capital costs over the phase-in period. Manufacturers have 
    also stated that they would potentially have to build twice as many 
    test facilities, in order to accommodate testing of old technology OB/
    PWC engines as well as new technology OB/PWC engines, and half of those 
    facilities would become idle as soon as manufacturers phased out the 
    old technology.
        In view of these comments, EPA believes it is appropriate to 
    mitigate compliance costs for old technology OB/PWC engines through 
    compliance flexibility, waivers, and an exemption from the CO cap, if 
    one if finalized,11 until late in the phase-in in order to free up 
    the manufacturers' limited resources for new technology development.
    
        \11\ EPA is currently considering whether to include a CO cap in 
    the final rule in light of the comments it received on the NPRM and 
    its authority under the CAA.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        Because adequate test data on old technology engines currently 
    exists, and that data shows engine emissions are so high that 
    production variance and in-use deterioration are almost negligible 
    effects on the emission rate, imposing compliance costs on the old 
    technology engines would appear to yield little environmental benefit. 
    On the other hand, allowing flexibility in the administrative programs 
    for old technology, which will be phased out of production, will free 
    up money for the manufacturers to develop, produce, and market clean 
    technology OB/PWC engines.
        The Agency proposes to define old technology OB/PWC engine families 
    to be those that were in production for the 1997 and previous model 
    years and that did not utilize newer technologies, such as four-stroke 
    technology, direct-injection two-stroke technology, or catalyst 
    technology. It is important to restrict this definition to engines that 
    were in production both in 1997 and in previous years so an old 
    technology engine family that would first be brought into production in 
    1997, just before the regulations take effect, could not take advantage 
    of flexibilities proposed here. EPA does not want to allow the 
    flexibilities to be gamed in this way. For example, the jetboat market 
    segment is expanding rapidly. A manufacturer electing to bring in a new 
    jetboat engine family in 1997 that uses old technology (e.g., simple 
    two-stroke engine design) should not enjoy the flexibilities proposed 
    here. The reason is that the manufacturer is choosing to spend money to 
    bring more old, dirty technology into the market rather than spending 
    the money on new, cleaner technology. To allow flexibility in this case 
    on the eve of the implementation of the proposed 1998 MY emission 
    standards is contrary to EPA's intent in offering this flexibility. EPA 
    is offering this flexibility to allow the manufacturers to spend money 
    on new, cleaner technology rather than old, dirty technology that will 
    need to be phased-out of production.
        EPA is proposing to allow manufacturers of old technology OB/PWC 
    engines for a limited time to comply with reduced data submission 
    requirements for certification,\12\ to be exempted from Part 91 
    subparts D, E, F, G, I (non-recall portions only), J, and M containing 
    compliance monitoring programs, and to be exempted from any CO cap if 
    it should be included in the final rule. However, EPA does not intend 
    to allow such provisions in the latter years of the nine year phase-in 
    of emission standards. The Agency believes it is important to the 
    integrity of the averaging standard that at the end of the nine year 
    phase-in, all OB/PWC engine families submit the certification and 
    testing data normally required for obtaining certificates of conformity 
    and that all OB/PWC engine families comply with enforcement provisions 
    and any CO cap. Further, because the phase-in period is nine years, EPA 
    believes that allowing this flexibility for the first six years will be 
    adequate to mitigate costs and will also encourage the introduction of 
    the cleanest technology sooner.
    
        \12\ EPA proposes that it may accept, at its discretion, summary 
    information on an old technology OB/PWC engine family in lieu of the 
    full Application for Certification. The Agency plans to explain its 
    policy on accepting summary information via guidance to be generated 
    and distributed to manufacturers subsequent to the publication of 
    the final rule. The Agency welcomes comments on whether guidance is 
    the appropriate mechanism for defining the summary certification 
    procedures, or whether EPA should engage in notice and comment 
    rulemaking (at some later date) to define the procedures.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        Therefore, EPA intends to implement such flexibility through the 
    sixth year of the phase-in. The Agency requests comment on allowing 
    this flexibility for old technology OB/PWC engines and on EPA's 
    intended implementation strategy for this flexibility. Commenters are 
    encouraged to express separately their views on each aspect (i.e., 
    certification, enforcement, and the CO cap) of the flexibility proposed 
    here as EPA may finalize all, some, or none of them. EPA also requests 
    comment on the proposed definition of old technology OB/PWC and 
    alternative approaches.
    4. Other Potential Administrative Program Changes
        a. Recall. EPA is considering omitting from the final spark-
    ignition marine engine regulations (Part 91) those portions of proposed 
    Subpart I regarding recall.
        Section 213(d) of the CAA provides that new nonroad engine emission 
    standards ``shall be subject'' to the provisions of sections 206 
    through 209. EPA believes that this statutory provision is self-
    executing, so that the marine engine standards proposed in this 
    rulemaking would be subject to the remedial provisions of section 
    207(c)(1) as well as, for example, the certification provisions of 
    section 206. Further, EPA believes that the remaining language in 
    section 213(d) does not require promulgation of regulations to 
    implement section 207(c) for marine engines, except where they are 
    ``necessary to determine compliance with, and enforce,'' such new 
    nonroad engine standards.\13\
    
        \13\ See also discussion of section 207(c) and recall in the 
    NPRM 59 FR 55943-46.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        In this rulemaking, EPA believes that it may not be necessary to 
    promulgate regulations specifying procedures to implement Sec. 207(c) 
    in order to determine compliance with and enforce the proposed marine 
    spark-ignition emission standards. The in-use averaging, banking, and 
    trading (ABT) program proposed in this SNPRM makes it highly improbable 
    that EPA would ever find that a substantial number of marine engines do 
    not conform to the applicable emissions standard or FEL, since any 
    noncompliance may be offset through ABT. Moreover, EPA expects that 
    remedial action under section 207(c) would be largely ineffective, both 
    because industry structure and engine owner turnover make it difficult 
    for a manufacturer to identify the owners of a nonconforming engine, 
    and because safety-related recalls of marine engines have generated 
    little consumer response in the past. For these reasons, EPA would not 
    expect to make a determination of nonconformity under section 207(c) 
    regarding marine engines. Furthermore, in the unlikely event EPA should 
    find it appropriate to take such action, EPA retains authority either 
    to take action directly under section 207(c) or to promulgate 
    appropriate regulations at that time.
        EPA seeks comment whether EPA should omit the recall portions of 
    subpart I (Part 91) from the final rule. Commenters are encouraged to 
    explain the basis for their opinion, including all policy reasons and 
    all circumstances regarding the marine engine industry which favor one 
    approach versus another, as well as the statutory basis for the 
    preferred approach. 
    
    [[Page 4608]]
    
        EPA is also considering not applying Part 89, Subpart H (recall 
    regulations) to small marine CI engine manufacturers (as proposed to be 
    defined in this Notice). As with marine SI engines, EPA expects that 
    remedial action under Sec. 207(c) for marine CI engines would be 
    largely ineffective, both because industry structure and engine 
    turnover make it difficult for a manufacturer to identify the owners of 
    a nonconforming engine and because safety-related recalls of marine 
    engines have generated little consumer response in the past.
        Unlike marine SI engine manufacturers, however, marine CI engine 
    manufacturers would not have available credits generated through an in-
    use credit program to offset any in-use noncompliance. Instead, it may 
    be appropriate not to apply Part 89, subpart H, to small marine CI 
    engine manufacturers because of the relative burden of Sec. 207(c)(1) 
    remediation on smaller marine CI engine manufacturers compared to 
    larger marine CI engine manufacturers. Even if the recall regulations 
    were to apply, EPA would expect that any Agency decision on whether to 
    take formal action under Sec. 207(c) would take into consideration the 
    circumstances involved, including the nature of the industry and the 
    specific manufacturer involved.
        EPA seeks comment, including any available data, on the relative 
    potential burden of recall on marine CI engine manufacturers depending 
    on their size. EPA also seeks comment whether EPA should apply Part 89, 
    subpart H to small marine CI engine manufacturers (as proposed to be 
    defined in this Notice) or whether any differences in potential 
    manufacturer burden should be addressed through EPA's discretion in 
    implementing the recall authority. Commenters are encouraged to explain 
    the basis for their opinion, as well as any variation in the definition 
    of small marine CI engine manufacturer which would affect their 
    opinion.
        b. 1998 MY Corporate Average Compliance. In the NPRM, EPA proposed 
    that manufacturers begin the phase-in of the spark-ignition gasoline 
    engine regulations in the 1998 MY. Production of the 1998 MY will begin 
    in May, 1997, and this final rulemaking is scheduled to be published in 
    May, 1996. Manufacturers have informed EPA that 1998 MY compliance will 
    be challenging because they must have their product line certified and 
    in compliance on a corporate average basis within one year.
        EPA is concerned with this short amount of time between the final 
    rule and the first year of compliance. However, EPA strongly wishes to 
    implement the rulemaking for the 1998 MY so as to achieve emission 
    reductions in 1998 from this source. As the emission reductions in MY 
    1998 are very important, EPA is reluctant to forego the 1998 MY. 
    Therefore, EPA is not revising its proposal to begin implementation in 
    1998 MY.
        On the other hand, the timing is clearly tight. There may be 
    circumstances where, despite the manufacturer's best efforts, 
    compliance in the 1998 MY is unattainable. When compliance is 
    unattainable due to circumstances that are clearly beyond the control 
    of a manufacturer, it may be reasonable to allow the manufacturer some 
    flexibility in compliance.
        Compliance, for this rulemaking, means having a zero or positive 
    emission credit balance for the manufacturer's product line at the end 
    of the MY. Therefore, a manufacturer would potentially be in 
    noncompliance if it could not generate or buy sufficient positive 
    emission credits to offset the amount of negative emission credits 
    reflected in its product line.
        When the manufacturer is in such a situation for the 1998 MY due to 
    circumstances that are clearly beyond its control, EPA is considering 
    allowing the manufacturer to combine its 1998 MY ending credit balance 
    (i.e., a negative balance) with the 1999 MY credit balance. In this 
    special circumstance, the compliance period would be a 2 year averaging 
    period across the 1998 and 1999 MYs. The advantage of this approach is 
    that it inherently requires remediation of the lack of reduction in 
    1998 MY.
        Circumstances beyond the control of a manufacturer would be those 
    types of circumstances where the manufacturer had taken clearly laid 
    out steps to make sure its product plans would be met, yet could not 
    produce its appropriate complying product plans due to factors 
    associated with suppliers not providing appropriate inputs. For 
    example, test facilities might not be operational due to delays in 
    construction that are beyond the control of the manufacturer or its 
    designated contractor (e.g., the test equipment supplier did not 
    deliver the equipment in time to be installed).
        EPA requests comment on the need for flexibility for 1998 MY 
    compliance due to circumstances outside the control of the 
    manufacturer. Specifically, EPA requests comment on allowing a 2 year 
    averaging period for a manufacturer which EPA determines is in such a 
    situation, including comment on a different averaging period (e.g., 18 
    months, 30 months). EPA requests comment on specific circumstances 
    which would clearly be outside the control of a manufacturer leading to 
    the inability to comply in 1998 MY. Finally, EPA requests comment on 
    any other alternatives.
    
    C. Small Manufacturer Criteria
    
        In their comments to the NPRM, small marine manufacturers provided 
    new information to EPA. This information has heightened EPA's awareness 
    that the proposal would impact different segments of the marine market 
    in different ways.
        One example is the engine marinizer: rather than manufacturing the 
    engines themselves, smaller marine engine companies (i.e., 
    ``marinizers'') will often modify engine blocks originally produced for 
    other nonroad or on-highway applications for marine applications. 
    Marinizers may have as few as two employees and typically do not have 
    the resources to comply with certification and enforcement provisions 
    proposed in the NPRM. The cost of one test for one engine can be 
    $5,000-$10,000 at a contract laboratory, while the cost of test 
    equipment can run up to one half million dollars. Many marinizers have 
    indicated that the cost of certification reporting burdens alone will 
    dramatically increase their costs and may force them out of business.
        Based on the written comments to the NPRM described above, EPA 
    proposes to allow some flexibility in the certification and enforcement 
    provisions proposed in the NPRM for small manufacturers. The proposed 
    flexibility is described in IV.B. above. In the following sections, EPA 
    proposes small manufacturer criteria for the marine CI engine and SD/I 
    engine market segments. Each market segment has a different, unique 
    aspect from a regulatory and market structure perspective, as explained 
    below. Therefore, different small manufacturer criteria are proposed 
    for each market segment.
    1. Sterndrive and Inboard Engine Manufacturers
        Although EPA is proposing an emission standard for SD/I engine 
    families that will only necessitate a marginal compliance burden to 
    certify the engine family and no other administrative program burdens, 
    EPA is proposing a small manufacturer criteria in the event that the 
    rulemaking should be finalized with the need for such a criteria.
        The market for SD/I engines is composed of one very large market 
    leader, several medium-sized market players, and a number of very small 
    (in terms of both receipts and production volumes) manufacturers. For 
    the 
    
    [[Page 4609]]
    purposes of the SD/I engine category only, EPA proposes to define small 
    manufacturers as those which have less than 15 percent of the United 
    States market share of SD/I engines on a unit volume basis, to be 
    determined by averaging engine unit volume for the past three model 
    years. The average total SD/I market unit volume for the same model 
    years would be used to determine whether a manufacturer's market share 
    was less than 15 percent. Manufacturers with greater than 15% market 
    share are clearly the largest manufacturers.
        The Agency requests comment on this market share percentage 
    criterion and on alternatives for defining a small SD/I manufacturer.
    2. Marine Compression-Ignition Engine Manufacturers
        The Agency proposes that a small marine CI engine manufacturer be 
    defined as one for which the business concern together with all its 
    domestic and foreign affiliates (e.g., the parent company and all the 
    subsidiaries): (1) Have total annual receipts under $100 million, and 
    (2) have less than a 4 percent United States market share on a unit 
    volume basis for all nonroad diesel engines. For example, 4 percent 
    market share is approximately 12,000 units based on a total volume of 
    all nonroad diesel engines of 300,000. According to the proposed 
    criteria, the average annual receipts per engine from 12,000 units 
    could not exceed approximately $8,300 per engine ($100 million/12,000 
    engines).
        The Agency proposes to accept the definitions of ``affiliation,'' 
    ``annual receipts,'' and ``business concern'' that are contained in 13 
    CFR Part 121 of the Small Business Administration (SBA) regulations. 
    Compliance with the market share criterion will be determined on the 
    basis of data averaged over the past three fiscal years, in a manner 
    similar to that defined in the SBA regulations for annual receipts.
        The definition proposed herein would give flexibility in the rule 
    for manufacturers of different sizes of marine CI engines and different 
    production volumes. If a manufacturer meets the definition's criteria, 
    EPA proposes that its engine families be eligible automatically for the 
    certification program flexibility described in section IV.B.2. above.
        The Agency requests comment on the advisability of two additional 
    small entity criteria that it has not proposed. The first of these 
    would be to limit small manufacturer flexibility to engine families 
    under 1500 kW only. This is because engines over 1500 kW are expensive, 
    and therefore, certification and enforcement costs have a small effect 
    on engine price and should be easily recovered. The second would be to 
    limit small manufacturer flexibility using an engine speed designation 
    for high-speed marine CI engines, instead of a maximum power criterion. 
    The Agency requests comment on designating high-speed engines as those 
    over 1000 revolutions per minute (rpm). Comment submitted in response 
    to the NPRM on the issue of harmonization with the proposed emission 
    standards by the International Maritime Organization included a 
    recommendation on a 1500 kW cutpoint for EPA's proposal.
        The Agency also requests comment regarding specific alternative 
    criteria for designating small manufacturers and on equity issues 
    associated with the proposed criteria. In addition, EPA is considering 
    whether to propose applying the small marine CI engine manufacturer 
    definition to all aspects of the CI engine industry. EPA is not aware 
    of any nonmarine CI engine manufacturers that meet this criteria. 
    However, if any exist or enter the market, it seems appropriate that 
    the same provisions apply. EPA welcomes comments on this issue.
    3. Outboard Engine and Personal Watercraft Manufacturers
        a. Competitive Issues. Manufacturers of outboards or personal 
    watercraft that commented on the proposal appear to fall into at least 
    one of two categories: (1) Those which do not meet the SBA's 
    definitions of ``small'' and (2) manufacturers that purchase engines 
    and market them as their own, rather than being actual engine 
    manufacturers. Thus, EPA is not aware of any manufacturers of OB/PWC 
    engines that it believes would need compliance flexibility as small 
    volume manufacturers. Moreover, this category of marine engines 
    produces the highest HC emissions per unit power output, and is 
    therefore the category of marine engines targeted for the largest HC 
    reductions. The Agency is hesitant to offer a permanent waiver of more 
    stringent testing requirements for the engines of most concern to it. 
    EPA wants to be certain that manufacturers are developing, producing, 
    and achieving the targeted HC emission reductions for OB/PWC. For these 
    reasons, EPA does not propose to offer small entity regulatory relief 
    to manufacturers of OB/PWC engines.
        However, while in the absolute sense there are no ``small'' 
    manufacturers, in the relative sense there are smaller manufacturers 
    relative to the larger manufacturers. Furthermore, there are 
    differences in the product lines of the manufacturers. Some 
    manufacturers are dominant in the personal watercraft market while at 
    the same time being less dominant in the outboard market (e.g., 
    Yamaha). Most of the PWC manufacturers specialize only in personal 
    watercraft and do not produce outboards.
        EPA proposed in the NPRM a combined averaging set for outboards and 
    personal watercraft, even though there are differences in product lines 
    between manufacturers with some producing both types or only one type. 
    EPA thinks this strategy best for many reasons. First, this strategy 
    allows manufacturers to take advantage of the most cost-effective means 
    of achieving emission reduction targets amongst engines with similar 
    emission problems. Both outboards and personal watercraft currently 
    utilize old technology 2-stroke engines and have similar options 
    available to reduce those emissions. Second, achieving the most cost-
    effective emission reductions means that the market achieves the lowest 
    price increase to the consumer. Third, EPA is not interested in 
    protecting manufacturer market share at the expense of higher consumer 
    prices for control technology. EPA thinks that broader averaging sets 
    encourage a more competitive market environment which in turn limits 
    non-competitive (e.g., oligopolistic) market forces and acts to keep 
    consumer prices low. Fourth, a combined OB/PWC averaging set gives more 
    flexibility to manufacturers, particularly the smaller PWC 
    manufacturers, to buy credits from other manufacturers (including those 
    they do not directly compete with) instead of putting on control 
    technology that is not cost-effective. Therefore, in effect, a combined 
    OB/PWC set inherently improves small manufacturer flexibility. For 
    these reasons, EPA is very hesitant to consider splitting up the 
    combined OB/PWC averaging set.
        In response to the NPRM, EPA received significant comment from some 
    manufacturers that only produces PWC indicating concern with the 
    appropriateness of a combined OB/PWC averaging set.\14\ These 
    manufacturers seemed to be concerned that manufacturers that produce 
    both outboards and personal watercraft (only one such manufacturer 
    currently exists) can take competitive advantage of their ability to 
    average their OB engine 
    
    [[Page 4610]]
    families with their PWC engine families. The PWC-only manufacturer 
    seemed to be concerned that their competitor has more flexibility to 
    meet the emission standards due to the possibilities of generating 
    internal to the company positive credits from the OB product line that 
    can potentially delay control on PWC or provide cheaper credits to 
    cover lesser control on PWC. One PWC-only manufacturer stated their 
    belief that the other manufacturer will convert its OB products into 4-
    stroke and that will harm the competitive position of manufacturers who 
    only produce PWC and market share will be eroded. There is concern that 
    the end result will be that the OB/PWC manufacturer will become a much 
    more dominant manufacturer. It is feared by the commenter that no 
    credits would be available in the market that would allow the same 
    flexibility for the PWC manufacturers that this one manufacturer will 
    inherently have under the combined OB/PWC set.
    
        \14\ Refer to the Kawasaki docket comments IV-D-58, statement or 
    Artco, Kawasaki, and Polaris IV-D-66 and Polaris statement IV-51 for 
    EPA Air Docket A-92-28.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        EPA would be concerned if a single manufacturer gained control over 
    the PWC market simply because of the combined OB/PWC averaging set.
        On the other hand, EPA is concerned that splitting the averaging 
    sets will give significant competitive advantage to the currenta 
    dominant PWC manufacturers, particularly against the PWC manufacturers 
    with smaller market share. The marginal cost-effectiveness analysis by 
    which EPA set the 75% reduction in HC requirement allows small engine 
    families, such as those produced by PWC manufacturers with smaller 
    market share, to avoid manufacturing changes that are not cost-
    effective in a relative sense and purchase sufficient credits in the 
    market. This is because the marginal cost-effectiveness for each engine 
    family was ranked and the standard was set at the point where it became 
    less cost-effective to gain further emission reductions. Splitting the 
    averaging set restricts the potential credit supply and the result may 
    be that the most cost-effective credits are not available. Therefore, 
    even if it is more marginally cost-effective to achieve emission 
    reductions from OB, for example, restricting the averaging between OB 
    and PWC means that some of the most cost-effective reductions may not 
    be taken advantage of. Further, the smaller PWC manufacturers who would 
    most need to buy credits would be restricted to purchasing credits from 
    their direct competitors, instead of the OB manufacturers they do not 
    directly compete with. The effect would be that the dominant PWC 
    manufacturers would be able to gain competitive advantage because they 
    produce larger unit volumes and can take advantage of economies of 
    scale, thereby generating positive credits in a more cost-effective 
    manner than lower volume manufacturers. Thus, protecting the market 
    share of current dominant manufacturers by splitting the averaging set 
    may have the effect of strengthening the dominant manufacturers' market 
    positions against the smaller PWC manufacturers. EPA is seeking an 
    emission standard structure that promotes a competitive market and 
    promotes the cleanest technology. EPA thinks it essential to allow all 
    smaller manufacturers the flexibility intended with the combined OB/PWC 
    averaging set.
        Comments are requested on separating the averaging sets as an 
    approach to address the specific problem raised with respect to the 
    competitive impact of a combined OB/PWC averaging set. EPA requests 
    comment on requiring separate averaging sets for a short while during 
    the phase-in period or a portion of it. From an environmental point of 
    view, this will likely ensure that the manufacturer who produces both 
    OB and PWC invest in control technology for PWCs in the early years of 
    the phase-in. EPA is hesitant to consider this option and would only 
    consider it for a short while (e.g., a portion of the phase-in).
        EPA requests comment on why EPA should consider requiring separate 
    sets, even for a portion of the phase-in period, if this limits the 
    ability of the market to generate the most cost-effective controls 
    overall. Further, EPA requests comment on the docket comments submitted 
    by Kawasaki (IV-D-58 for EPA Air Docket A-92-28).
        Also, EPA notes that it would have to re-evaluate the 
    appropriateness of the proposed OB/PWC emission standards if the 
    averaging sets were to change, because of the potential effect of the 
    separate sets on such factors as technological achievability and cost 
    (see section 213(a)(3) of the CAA). The Agency seeks comment on what 
    changes, if any, should be made to the proposed emission standards if 
    separate averaging sets are finalized, with an explanation of the 
    reasons for the commenter's preferred approach.
        Additionally, EPA requests comments on the need for any change from 
    the combined OB/PWC averaging set that EPA proposed. Change is 
    questionable since already manufacturers may purchase credits in the 
    market rather than apply control technology in the early years of the 
    phase-in thereby giving a manufacturer extra leadtime for whatever 
    reason. Further, if the credit market is economically efficient (i.e., 
    a manufacturer does not act in a predatory manner to gain market share) 
    then the OB manufacturer would make positive credits available to PWC 
    manufacturers because this would lower the cost of OB compliance, 
    either raising profit margin or increasing sales, or both.
        EPA requests comment on systems that would encourage the credit 
    market to function efficiently. Any comments that present ways to make 
    the market function prospectively are especially encouraged. Comment is 
    requested on the need to have a formalized credit market. EPA would 
    prefer that such a market system not be run by EPA and requests 
    comments on making this market run by an independent third party if a 
    formalized market is advocated. EPA is seeking comment in order to 
    determine whether it should propose action through a subsequent 
    rulemaking.
        b. Market Entrants. The Agency requests comment on the issue of 
    flexibility for small OB/PWC engine manufacturers that may enter the 
    market in the future. EPA would be concerned should administrative 
    program burdens add an additional production cost that discourages 
    market entrants and limits additional competition in the marketplace, 
    particularly for clean technology. The Agency would consider allowing 
    administrative program flexibility for a short period of time for new 
    OB/PWC market entrants similar to that which it is proposing for small 
    marine CI engine manufacturers, such as reduced certification 
    requirements, as described above in section IV.B. As EPA would like to 
    encourage clean technology, such market entrant flexibility would only 
    be considered for engines with emissions falling below the MY 2006 
    average HC emission standard level.
        The Agency requests comment on defining a market entrant as a 
    manufacturer that has not produced OB/PWC engines before one MY prior 
    to the current MY. This suggested definition would allow flexibility 
    for market entrants for the first two model years. In addition, EPA 
    requests comment on whether flexibility should be limited to small 
    market entrants and, if so, requests suggestions for alternative 
    definitions of a small market entrant.
    
    D. Relative Use by Age Function
    
        The Agency proposes to include a statistical function in the credit 
    calculation formula in Sec. 91.207 of the regulations proposed for 40 
    CFR Part 91, representing relative usage of engines by engine age and 
    power output. EPA did 
    
    [[Page 4611]]
    not propose the use of such a function in the NPRM for the generation 
    of new engine family credits. However, EPA is inclined to believe that 
    for OB engines usage does vary by age of the engine and by power 
    output. The relationship between age of engine and relative usage was 
    assumed to be linear according to the following function, which is 
    based on an assumption of 30% deviation (i.e., 1.3 and 0.7).
    
    where
    
    t=age of the engine in years
    use=mean use in hours per year
    life=mean life
    
        The average annual use derived for the new engine credit generation 
    methodology proposed in the NPRM still appears to be an adequate 
    representation.
        For outboard engines, the probability that an engine will survive 
    into the future depends upon the power output (in terms of rated kW or 
    rated horsepower) of the engine. Smaller engines typically last longer 
    than larger engines.15 Therefore, the relative use by age function 
    uses mean life as in input. In turn, the mean life is dependent upon 
    power output. Power output identifies the size of the engine.
    
        \15\ Price Waterhouse, National Recreational Boating Survey: 
    Final Report, June 30, 1992.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        The Agency is aware that the State of Wisconsin performed a survey 
    of the 1995 summer season to obtain better information on relative use 
    of engines by age. If the Wisconsin data becomes available before the 
    final rule is promulgated, EPA will publish a notice of data 
    availability regarding the survey results. EPA may consider the survey 
    results when deciding how to finalize the rule with respect to the 
    relative use by age function.
    
    E. Manufacturer Production Line Testing Program
    
        The NPRM described a proposal for marine SI and CI engine 
    manufacturers to perform self-audits of new marine engines. The 
    proposed self-audit program would be an emissions compliance program 
    for new production marine engines in which manufacturers would be 
    required to test engines as they leave the production line, without EPA 
    oversight.
        The Agency believes that a post-production compliance program may 
    be necessary for OB/PWC only to verify that production engines comply 
    with the applicable family emission limit (FEL), particularly during 
    the early years of the program. The NPRM noted that the need for such a 
    program is particularly vital in a regulatory situation in which 
    manufacturers participate in an averaging, banking, and trading program 
    and receive usable or salable credits for declaring FELs more stringent 
    than the emission standard. The NPRM proposed a self-audit program 
    comparable to the California Air Resources Board's (CARB's) current 
    Quality Audit Program for new utility and lawn and garden engines. As 
    the NPRM described, this program would assure that engines from each 
    engine family will be tested periodically and their compliance 
    evaluated on a quarterly basis.
        In this supplemental notice EPA proposes to modify the self-audit 
    program set forth in part 91 subpart F of the NPRM's proposed 
    regulatory text. First, EPA is proposing to change the name of the 
    proposed Manufacturer Self-Audit Program to the Manufacturer Production 
    Line Testing Program, because this title more clearly indicates that 
    this proposal is applicable for emission testing engines from the 
    manufacturer's production line. Second, EPA proposes to limit the 
    production line testing program provisions to SI OB/PWC engines. As 
    described in more detail in section IV.B.2. above, EPA now proposes 
    that all marine CI engines be subject to the Selective Enforcement 
    Auditing and recall provisions that have been promulgated for land-
    based CI engines. Third, EPA proposes to adopt the Cumulative Sum 
    (CumSum) procedure described below, rather than CARB's Quality Audit 
    Program procedure, because EPA has noticed a potential problem with the 
    provisions of subpart F as proposed. CARB's Quality Audit Program is 
    based on a fixed sample size approach. An essential problem with this 
    approach is that to keep the sample size small, the manufacturer risk 
    and the consumer risk must increase 16. The only way to lower 
    manufacturer and consumer risk is to increase the sample size to 
    possibly burdensome levels. This results in an inherent conflict for 
    the design of a quality audit procedure which requires a fixed sample 
    size.
    
        \16\ Manufacturer risk is the risk that the quality audit 
    program will detect that an engine family is in noncompliance, when 
    the family is actually in compliance. Consumer risk is the risk that 
    the quality audit program will fail to detect that an engine family 
    is in noncompliance, when the family is actually in noncompliance.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        The annual sample size required by CARB's Quality Audit Program is 
    set at one percent of engine family production, at least until ten 
    engines are tested in an engine family. A major effort by both CARB and 
    the affected manufacturers has been to find ways to reduce the 
    necessary sample size, resulting in a confusing array of statistically 
    ad hoc modifications to the program. Upon recognizing the limitations 
    of CARB's Quality Audit Program as a model for the NPRM's marine engine 
    self-audit program, EPA initiated development of another approach.
        In today's SNPRM, EPA is proposing to modify the proposed subpart F 
    regulations to include a statistical procedure known as the CumSum 
    procedure that will enable manufacturers to select engines at 
    appropriate sampling rates for emission testing and will determine 
    whether production line engines are complying with emission standards. 
    CumSum procedures are used for the detection of changes in the average 
    level of a process; the proposed procedure is useful both as an 
    assessment tool for EPA and a quality control tool for engine 
    manufacturers. The procedure is capable of detecting significant 
    changes in the average level of a process, while ignoring minor 
    fluctuations that are simply acceptable variation in the process.
        Under the procedure, described in more detail below, manufacturers 
    would select engines from each engine family at appropriate sampling 
    rates for emissions testing. Testing would be required to be conducted 
    in accordance with the applicable federal testing procedures for marine 
    engines. The test results would be input to the appropriate CumSum 
    equations, and the results of the procedure would indicate whether the 
    engine family is in noncompliance.
    1. Sampling Rates Required for the CumSum Procedure
        Sample Size Calculation. At the start of each MY, manufacturers 
    would begin to test each engine family at a rate of one percent, and 
    then modify the testing rate according to a sample size equation. A 
    manufacturer would determine the sample size necessary for newly-
    certified engine families by conducting two tests and then calculating 
    the required sample size for the rest of the MY according to the Sample 
    Size Equation below. For carry-over engine families, the manufacturer 
    would determine the necessary sample size by conducting one test, then 
    combining the test result with the last test result from the previous 
    MY, and finally calculating the required sample size for the rest of 
    the MY according to the Sample Size Equation below.
    
    Sample Size Equation
    
    where:
    
    
    [[Page 4612]]
    
    N=Calculated sample size. NHC, NCO, and NNOX are all 
    calculated from each test result. The largest of the three becomes the 
    official N which becomes the number of tests required for the remainder 
    of the MY. NHC, NCO, and NNOX are all recalculated after 
    each test.
    t95=95 percent confidence coefficient. It is dependent on the 
    actual sample size, n, and is defined in the table below. It defines 
    one-tail, 95 percent confidence intervals.
    
                Sample Size and One-Tail Confidence Coefficients            
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
         n           t95           n          t95          n          t95   
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     2.........       6.3           12         1.8          22        1.72  
                        1                        0                          
    3..........       2.9           13         1.7          23        1.72  
                        2                        8                          
    4..........       2.3           14         1.7          24        1.71  
                        5                        7                          
    5..........       2.1           15         1.7          25        1.71  
                        3                        6                          
    6..........       2.0           16         1.7          26        1.71  
                        2                        5                          
    7..........       1.9           17         1.7          27        1.71  
                        4                        5                          
    8..........       1.9           18         1.7          28        1.70  
                        0                        4                          
    9..........       1.8           19         1.7          29        1.70  
                        6                        3                          
    1..........       1.8           20         1.7          30        1.70  
    0                   3                        3                          
    1..........       1.8           21         1.7         1.645  
    1                   1                        2                          
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    =sample standard deviation of the actual sample, where:
    Xi=emission test result for an individual engine
    x=mean of the actual sample
    STD=emission standard or, if applicable, family emission limit (FEL)
    n=The actual number of tests completed in an engine family
        The calculated sample size, N, determines the number of tests 
    required for the rest of the MY. Tests must be distributed evenly 
    throughout the remainder of the MY. After each new test, the sample 
    size is recalculated with the updated sample mean, sample standard 
    deviation, and 95 percent confidence coefficient.
        If at any time throughout the MY the calculated sample size for an 
    engine family, N, is less than or equal to the actual sample size, n, 
    and the sample mean, x, for each pollutant, is less than or equal to 
    the applicable standard or FEL, the manufacturer may stop testing that 
    engine family. But, if at any time throughout the MY the sample mean, 
    x, for any pollutant, is greater than the applicable standard or FEL, 
    the manufacturer must continue testing that engine family at the 
    appropriate maximum sampling rate.
        Manufacturers may elect to test additional engines for input into 
    the Sample Size Equation, provided that testing of the additional 
    engines is performed in accordance with the applicable federal testing 
    procedures for marine engines.
        Maximum Sample Rates. The maximum required sample size for an 
    engine family (regardless of the result of the Sample Size Equation) is 
    the lesser of three tests per month or one percent of projected annual 
    production (distributed evenly throughout the model year). For example, 
    if the Sample Size Equation produces a value of N = 252 for a family 
    with annual production of 20,000 engines, a manufacturer may elect to 
    test only three engines per month instead of:
        (1) 21 per month, which would be required if 252 tests were 
    distributed evenly throughout the MY, or
        (2) 17 per month, if one percent of annual production were 
    distributed evenly throughout the MY.
        Although the Sample Size Equation may calculate sample sizes 
    greater than the proposed maximum sample rates, EPA believes sample 
    sizes greater than these maximum rates would be unnecessarily 
    burdensome for manufacturers of marine engines. The proposed maximum 
    sample rates adequately characterize the emission levels of the engine 
    family.
    2. Construction of the CumSum Equation
        After determining the appropriate sample size using the Sample Size 
    Equation, the manufacturer would construct the following CumSum 
    Equation for each regulated pollutant for each engine family:
    
    where:
    Ci=The current CumSum statistic
    Ci-1=The previous CumSum statistic. Prior to any testing, the 
    CumSum statistic=0 (i.e. C0=0)
    Xi=The current emission test result for an individual engine
    STD=The applicable standard or, if applicable, the FEL
    F=0.25  x   and is the reference value
    
        After each test, Ci is compared to the action limit, H.
    
    H=5.0  x   and is the action limit, the quantity which the 
    CumSum statistic must exceed, in two consecutive tests, before the 
    engine family is determined to be in noncompliance. (it is a function 
    of the standard deviation, )
    =is the sample standard deviation and is recalculated after 
    each test.
    
        Following each emission test, manufacturers would update current 
    CumSum statistics for each pollutant according to the CumSum Equation 
    described above. Manufacturers would continue to update the CumSum 
    statistics throughout the MY. (At no time throughout the MY are CumSum 
    statistics reset to zero.)
        Manufacturers may elect to test additional engines for input into 
    the CumSum Equation, provided that testing of the additional engines is 
    performed in accordance with the applicable federal testing procedures 
    for marine engines.
    3. Criteria for Determining Noncompliance
        An engine family is determined to be in noncompliance if at any 
    time throughout the MY, the CumSum statistic, Ci, exceeds the 
    applicable action limit in two consecutive tests for the same 
    pollutant.
        Production line emission test results, as well as sample size 
    calculations and CumSum calculations, would be electronically reported 
    to EPA on a quarterly basis. The Agency would then review the test 
    data, sample size and CumSum calculations to assess the validity and 
    representativeness of each manufacturer's production line testing 
    program. If a manufacturer were to determine that an engine family is 
    in noncompliance, the manufacturer would be required to report the 
    emission test results and the appropriate Sample Size and CumSum 
    Equation calculations within two working days of such a determination.
        If an engine family is determined to be in noncompliance, or a 
    manufacturer's submittal to EPA reveals that production line tests were 
    not performed in accordance with applicable federal testing procedures, 
    EPA may suspend or revoke the manufacturer's certificate of conformity 
    in whole or in part for that engine family. The suspension or 
    revocation will not occur before fifteen days after a noncompliance 
    determination is made. During this fifteen day period, EPA will 
    coordinate with the manufacturer to facilitate the approval of the 
    required production line remedy in order to eliminate the need to halt 
    production, if possible. The manufacturer must then address the engines 
    produced prior to the suspension or revocation of the certificate of 
    conformity. EPA may reinstate a certificate of conformity subsequent to 
    a suspension, or reissue one subsequent to a revocation, after the 
    manufacturer demonstrates that improvements, modifications, or 
    
    [[Page 4613]]
    replacement have brought the engine family into compliance. The 
    proposed regulations include provisions for a hearing in which a 
    manufacturer may challenge EPA's decision to suspend or revoke a 
    certificate of conformity based on the CumSum procedure.
        The Manufacturer Production Line Testing Program would be the main 
    production line emission test program for marine engines. The Selective 
    Enforcement Auditing (SEA) 17 program that was proposed in the 
    NPRM will serve a spot-check function and enable EPA to evaluate 
    testing practices used by the manufacturer, follow up on concerns 
    reported to EPA, and address any configurations not covered by 
    manufacturers in their production line testing program.
    
        \17\ SEA is a program in which EPA selects engines from one 
    engine family configuration, directly from the production line, for 
    emissions testing.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        EPA realizes that the standard deviation, , of an engine 
    family is an important aspect of the production line testing program. 
    EPA intends to employ accurate engine family standard deviation in the 
    CumSum Equations. The Agency requests comment on all aspects of the 
    proposed production line testing program and specifically the 
    appropriateness of the values chosen for the variables in the Sample 
    Size and CumSum Equations. For more information on the derivation of 
    the Sample Size and CumSum Equations, the selection of appropriate 
    variables, and some examples of the CumSum Procedure, see ``The 
    Cumulative Sum Procedure'' document in the docket.
    4. Changes in FELs and Other Running Changes
        During the course of a MY, manufacturers may change certification 
    FELs up or down depending on comfort level or engineering decisions. 
    Manufacturers may also make changes to the engines to increase 
    performance or reduce emissions. The Agency proposes to handle these 
    changes in production with respect to the CumSum procedure as described 
    below.
        Changing an FEL (Actual Engine Not Changed). All data accumulated 
    during that MY but prior to the FEL change would be recalculated with 
    the new FEL. New sample sizes would be calculated, and testing would be 
    continued or halted as required. The CumSum statistic would also be 
    recalculated with the new FEL and would be evaluated with respect to a 
    new action limit. Testing and updating of the sample size and CumSum 
    statistic would continue until testing could be halted as a result of 
    the sample size calculation, a noncompliance decision, or the end of 
    the MY.
        Changing an FEL (Actual Engine Changed). All data accumulated 
    during that MY but prior to the FEL/engine change would be left as is. 
    Sample sizes would now be calculated by inserting the new FEL into the 
    Sample Size Equation. The CumSum Equation and action limit would be 
    updated to reflect the new FEL. The CumSum statistic would then be 
    calculated by the new equation and would be evaluated with respect to 
    the new action limit. Testing and updating of the sample size and 
    CumSum statistic would continue until testing could be halted as a 
    result of the sample size calculation, a noncompliance decision, or the 
    end of the MY.
        No Change to an FEL (Actual Engine Changed). No changes would be 
    made to any of the equations or any of the accumulated data. This type 
    of action is considered a typical day-to-day change on the production 
    line that should be evaluated by the Sample Size and CumSum Equations.
    5. Old Technology Engines
        EPA proposes to waive production line testing requirements for any 
    old technology OB/PWC engine family through MY 2003. In MY 2004 and MY 
    2005, any manufacturer of an old technology OB/PWC engine family may 
    request, in writing, an exemption from the requirements to perform 
    production line testing. EPA will have the discretion to grant a waiver 
    if the Administrator determines that the engine family will be phased 
    out of production by MY 2005. EPA will review requests for exemptions 
    and upon granting appropriate requests will prepare and submit to the 
    manufacturer a memorandum of exemption, which will set forth the terms 
    and conditions of the exemption. The Agency requests comment on the 
    appropriateness of exempting old technology engine families being 
    phased out within six years of the effective date of the rulemaking, 
    and of offering a discretionary waiver to such engine families in MY 
    2004 and MY 2005. Refer to section IV.B.3. for additional discussion of 
    this flexibility and the definition of ``old technology OB/PWC.''
    6. Effective Date of the CumSum Procedure
        Since publishing the NPRM, it has come to EPA's attention that OB/
    PWC engine manufacturers may need significant time to prepare their 
    production facilities with all of the necessary equipment and resources 
    to comply with the production line testing requirements. EPA is 
    proposing that the requirements for the production line testing program 
    become effective one year later than proposed in the NPRM. Under this 
    proposal, marine engine emission standards, certification requirements, 
    and in-use testing provisions would still go into effect beginning with 
    MY 1998. Production line testing requirements would go into effect 
    beginning in MY 1999. This proposal offers some relief to manufacturers 
    while making sure that emission standards and in-use compliance are not 
    delayed. Manufacturers could voluntarily submit production line testing 
    data to EPA during MY 1998. The Agency requests comment on the 
    appropriateness of this one-year delay in the imposition of production 
    line testing requirements.
    7. Request for Comment
        Although EPA is proposing modifications to the proposed Production 
    Line Testing Program to greatly reduce its burden as outlined above, 
    EPA also requests comment on the appropriateness of omitting such a 
    program from the final rule. EPA believes that the Production Line 
    Testing Program may be the best testing activity which can detect 
    whether a manufacturer has failed to translate an engine design 
    successfully into mass production while the manufacturer still is 
    producing that design.
        This Program has the ability to catch and offer a manufacturer the 
    opportunity to correct emission related problems early in an engine's 
    life, thus reducing a manufacturer's in-use liability. EPA believes 
    that the proposed Production Line Testing Program would also serve the 
    following additional purposes: (1) ensure that manufacturers follow 
    precisely the emissions test procedures listed in the CFR, (2) ensure 
    that the manufacturers' test equipment accurately measure emissions, 
    and (3) ensure that production engines are in conformity with 
    applicable Federal emission requirements as they come off the assembly 
    line and that individual engines tested conform to applicable family 
    emission limits.
        EPA believes that production line testing is especially important 
    for a rule where certification is built around an averaging, banking, 
    and trading program. Manufacturers will be producing engines which 
    generate emission credits that can be bought or sold or used to offset 
    other families produced by the same manufacturer. EPA believes it is 
    important to ascertain that actual production engines achieve proper 
    certification family emission 
    
    [[Page 4614]]
    limits to ensure that credits are bona fide and real.
        However, EPA is considering whether the information obtained from 
    this program is redundant with the information obtained from the 
    proposed In-Use Testing Program. The government is generally attempting 
    to reduce regulatory burden by eliminating all programs that generate 
    redundant information and information that is not cost-effective. EPA 
    requests comment on the relative importance of the information gleaned 
    from the Production Line Testing Program and compliance measures 
    associated with the In-Use Testing and In-use Credit Programs. EPA is 
    considering the option of not finalizing the Production Line Testing 
    Program provided that the In-Use Testing and In-Use Credit Programs are 
    finalized. However, because EPA thinks production line testing 
    generates relevant data and is important, EPA also requests comment on 
    other options such as having production line testing in the early years 
    of the program and then relaxing or eliminating production line testing 
    as the in-use program generates more data.
        Should EPA opt not to finalize a Production Line Testing Program, 
    EPA requests comment as to whether SEA should become a more important 
    programmatic emphasis. EPA requests comment on whether SEA regulations 
    (i.e., Part 91, Subpart G) should be finalized for OB/PWC if commenters 
    do not think SEA should become a more important programmatic emphasis. 
    Even if the SEA regulations proposed in the NPRM were not finalized, 
    EPA would retain authority under Sections 206(b)(1) and 208 of the CAA 
    to test or require testing of newly manufactured engines and to inspect 
    production facilities and processes to determine whether a manufacturer 
    is complying with the information submitted for certification. Further, 
    EPA would retain authority under Section 206(b)(2) of the CAA to 
    suspend or revoke the certificate for engines that do not conform with 
    applicable emission standards. However, without SEA regulations, the 
    SEA process could become more cumbersome. EPA seeks comments on both 
    the advantages and disadvantages of finalizing Subpart G, Part 91.
    
    F. In-Use Credit Program
    
        The Agency is proposing an in-use credit program for marine OB/PWC 
    engines. This program would not be a substitute for the proposed 
    averaging, banking, and trading (ABT) provisions used for certification 
    purposes, but would be offered as a separate program that may be used 
    in conjunction with the certification ABT provisions. The in-use credit 
    program is designed to reduce cost without reducing environmental 
    benefits by providing manufacturers with flexibility in meeting the 
    proposed standards for each pollutant in-use. Participation in this 
    proposed program would be voluntary.
        The flexibility that EPA proposes to provide in the in-use credit 
    program is necessary for a number of reasons. In the event that engine 
    families fail in-use testing, EPA believes that recalling the 
    nonconforming engines would be particularly burdensome and impractical 
    for this industry, mainly due to the difficulty of tracking the 
    nonconforming engines. If registration with a government entity occurs, 
    it is the vessel that is registered, not the vessel's engine; 
    manufacturers of marine engines do not typically know in what vessels 
    their engines are installed. Tracking the engines would thus be 
    cumbersome and difficult, especially because manufacturers estimate 
    that the owner moves or the vessel is typically sold about four years 
    after the initial purchase. Therefore, recalling the engines would 
    likely require substantial resources, yet not be highly effective in 
    actually remedying the excess emissions.
        The Agency believes it has the authority to promulgate this in-use 
    credit program under the circumstances. The CAA provides that the 
    marine engine emission standards, when finalized, shall be subject to 
    Section 207 of the Act, ``with such modifications of the applicable 
    regulations * * * as the Administrator deems appropriate.'' 42 U.S.C. 
    7547(d). Section 213 requires engines to comply with emission standards 
    when in actual use throughout their regulatory useful lives, and 
    Section 207 requires a manufacturer to remedy in-use nonconformity when 
    EPA determines that a substantial number of properly maintained and 
    used engines fail to conform with the applicable emission standards. 42 
    U.S.C. 7541. Once EPA makes this determination, recall would be 
    necessary to remedy the nonconformity. However, EPA believes that, 
    under the circumstances here, where it has been proposed that OB/PWC 
    marine engines could use ABT to comply with the emission standards at 
    certification (see 59 FR 55930), it is appropriate not to make a 
    determination of substantial nonconformity where a manufacturer uses 
    ABT to offset in-use noncompliance. Doing so is also appropriate 
    because it is expected that recall would be impractical and largely 
    ineffective. Thus, the CAA offers EPA the discretion to not make a 
    Section 207(c) determination of substantial nonconformity where a 
    marine engine manufacturer uses ABT to offset any noncompliance with 
    the statute's in-use performance requirements. Though the language of 
    Section 213(d) is silent on the issue of averaging, it allows EPA 
    considerable discretion in determining what modifications to the on-
    highway regulatory scheme are appropriate for nonroad engines.
        In this current proposal, in-use credits would be based upon in-use 
    testing conducted by the manufacturer as discussed previously in the 
    NPRM. For a given engine family, the in-use compliance level (CL) would 
    be determined by averaging the results from in-use testing performed 
    for that engine family. If the in-use CL is below the applicable FEL to 
    which the engine family is certified, the manufacturer could generate 
    in-use credits for that engine family. If the in-use CL is above the 
    applicable FEL, the engine family would experience a credit deficit. In 
    any given year, a manufacturer may use in-use credits to average 
    against excess in-use emissions of another engine family from the same 
    MY, to bank for use in future model years, or to trade to other 
    manufacturers. If a manufacturer completes testing for a given MY and 
    is in a deficit situation, it will not be allowed to carry the deficit 
    over to the next MY. To remedy a deficit situation, a manufacturer 
    could purchase credits from another manufacturer or, upon EPA approval, 
    test additional engine families of that MY beyond the 25 percent 
    proposed in the NPRM for the in-use testing program to generate 
    additional credits.18
    
        \18\  However, if the additional testing discovers an engine 
    family that was in noncompliance with its FEL, the result would be 
    handled as if it were a failure of the mandated in-use testing 
    requirement of up to 25 percent of a manufacturer's engine families.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        However, EPA is considering allowing a manufacturer to carry-over a 
    deficit to the next MY in the beginning of the phase-in period. 
    Specifically, EPA is considering allowing carry-over during the first 
    three years of the phase-in if no credits are available for purchase to 
    remedy the deficit. EPA requests comment on the appropriateness of 
    allowing a deficit carry-over, on whether it should allow this carry-
    over only when no credits are available for purchase or if other 
    circumstances are appropriate for carry-over, and on whether the first 
    three years of the phase-in period or some other time period is an 
    appropriate time period for such a deficit carry-over.
        The Agency is designing the in-use credit program around three 
    principles. 
    
    [[Page 4615]]
    First, the in-use testing program will assess whether each manufacturer 
    is achieving the environmental benefits intended by the standards when 
    the engines are in-use. Second, manufacturers will be provided with 
    strong incentive to maintain the standards in-use which will further 
    encourage in-use compliance. Finally, the in-use credit program will 
    provide flexibility and reduce the burden on manufacturers by allowing 
    them an option to address in-use noncompliance in a way that EPA agrees 
    would avoid a determination of nonconformity under Sec. 207(c) of the 
    Act, and thereby avoid a recall.
        Credits associated with the certification ABT program would not be 
    interchangeable with credits generated or used in the in-use credit 
    program. Positive certification credits are generated when the FEL is 
    set below the applicable standard. An in-use nonconformity occurs when 
    the CL, which is the emission level determined by in-use testing for an 
    engine family, is found to be above the FEL. Allowing a manufacturer to 
    remedy an in-use nonconformity with positive certification credits 
    generated by the same or another FEL setting would be a dubious policy. 
    Such a policy does not appear to encourage manufacturers to make 
    adequate effort to declare FELs during the certification process that 
    predict in-use emission levels to the fullest extent possible. The 
    Agency is concerned that if the in-use test results simply updated the 
    certification FEL then manufacturers would attempt to set certification 
    FELs that the engine would likely exceed in-use, because a manufacturer 
    would have a chance after in-use testing to change the FEL if it had 
    been set too low at certification. In this way, the manufacturer would 
    generate more certification credits than the engine family actually 
    should receive and would have already have used those credits to offset 
    dirtier engines. This is referred to as ``gaming'' the ABT provisions 
    by ``shaving'' the FELs. Therefore, to preserve the integrity of both 
    the certification and in-use ABT programs and maintain accountability 
    for manufacturers to meet their stated FELs in certification, 
    production line, and in-use testing, EPA is proposing to restrict 
    credit use by separating in-use credits from certification credits. The 
    Agency requests comment on the necessity of separate certification and 
    in-use ABT sets, especially with respect to providing the incentive for 
    manufacturers to produce engines that meet designed emission levels in-
    use and to choose a certification FEL which represents in-use emission 
    levels.
        An engine family's in-use CL would be determined by averaging the 
    results of testing in-use engines, as discussed in the NPRM. The test 
    results would be rounded to the number of decimal places contained in 
    the applicable emission standard or FEL, expressed to one additional 
    significant figure. Rounding would be done in accordance with ASTM 29-
    90, ``Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to 
    Determine Conformance with Specifications.'' The CL would be compared 
    to the applicable FEL to determine if the engine family will generate 
    or require credits.
        In EPA's experience with the on-highway heavy-duty ABT 
    program,19 manufacturers have changed FELs during the MY through 
    running changes. The Agency would not want to restrict the ability of 
    manufacturers to lower FELs when installing cleaner technology during 
    the MY, or to raise FELs if emission data is obtained on an engine 
    family indicating an inadequate safety margin. However, EPA also 
    believes that an in-use testing program that tests only one declared 
    FEL during a MY would not be representative of an engine family having 
    multiple FELs throughout that MY. In a case where a manufacturer has 
    changed the FEL of an engine family during the MY because of a design 
    change, EPA may designate which FEL of the engine family is to be 
    tested. If an in-use failure occurs for this FEL designation, EPA may 
    request in-use emission results from other FEL designations within this 
    engine family to ensure that the noncompliance is confined only to that 
    portion of the engine family with the audited FEL. A manufacturer can 
    also change their certification FEL to increase its safety margin or 
    generate extra credits without a design change. In such cases, if a 
    chosen FEL of an engine family were to fail in-use testing, the 
    emission results would apply to the entire production of the engine 
    family, encompassing all of the FEL changes. Since in this case only 
    the FEL was changed, and not the design of the engine family, EPA 
    believes it is reasonable to apply the emission results of in-use 
    testing to all the FEL settings of the engine family.
    
        \19\ 40 CFR part 86 (subpart A).
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        Separate calculations of credits would be required whenever an 
    engine family contains multiple FELs. Therefore, it would be possible 
    for an engine family (with multiple FELs) to both generate and require 
    in-use credits as a result of in-use testing. The Agency requests 
    comment on its proposed way of handling in-use testing of engine 
    families with a number of declared FELs. In particular, EPA seeks 
    comment whether it should require a minimum number of in-use tests for 
    each FEL (or change in emissions characteristics) and if so, what 
    number of tests would be appropriate.
        To provide a safeguard against potential environmental detriment, 
    EPA believes that it should only grant in-use credits for amounts of 
    emissions reductions in which EPA has a significant degree of 
    confidence. Thus, EPA proposes to take into account the uncertainty in 
    the in-use emissions tests when calculating credit generation by 
    relating credit generation to the statistical accuracy of the tests. 
    The ultimate purpose of testing a set of engines in-use is to estimate 
    the average emissions rate of all of the engines in that family over 
    their useful lives. For many reasons, the results of any one test of 
    any one engine will generally constitute a fairly uncertain measure of 
    fleet-wide average emission rates; various random factors in the way an 
    individual engine is manufactured and used will cause its emission rate 
    to deviate from the average of its engine family, and other random 
    factors may cause the results of any one test of that engine to vary.
        According to the provisions in the NPRM for in-use testing, a 
    manufacturer could pass an in-use audit after the first four tests of 
    an audit. However, if another manufacturer failed the first four tests 
    in an audit, it would continue testing to ten tests in order to make a 
    compliance determination. If both manufacturers simply took the mean of 
    the tests associated with each of these audits, the two manufacturers 
    would not be generating and using credits for in-use emissions levels 
    with the same degree of certainty.
        The Agency believes that the number of credits a manufacturer may 
    generate should be related to the number of tests performed for that 
    audit, because the more tests that are performed, the more certain EPA 
    and the public are that the mean of those test results is near the true 
    average for that engine family. In addition, an imbalance of certainty 
    exists between credit generation and credit usage. This arises from the 
    fact that manufacturers would be able to pass an audit and generate 
    credits in four tests (or two for small volume manufacturers), but 
    might not fail an audit or be required to use credits until ten tests 
    were performed. The average of the ten tests will tend to be closer to 
    the correct mean of the engine family. Thus, while EPA will award some 
    credits for engine families that appear to be cleaner 
    
    [[Page 4616]]
    than their FEL on the basis of four tests, progressively more credits 
    will be awarded if the compliance level is based on six, eight, or ten 
    tests. (See Figure 1 below.) EPA requests comment on this proposal. In 
    particular, EPA requests comment on the appropriateness of the 
    magnitude of the relative sample size adjustments presented in Figure 
    1, any preferred adjustments, as well as this approach of adjusting the 
    credits based on the amount of testing done to determine the CL.
    
                                    Figure 1                                
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    No. of engines tested................   2*,4       6         8        10
    Credits earned (AF**)................       .5      .75       .9      1 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    * Small Volume Manufacturer.                                            
    ** Adjustment factor.                                                   
    
        If a manufacturer were to pass an in-use audit with the first four 
    tests but wanted to participate in the voluntary in-use credit program, 
    it would be allowed to test ten engines to maximize the credits it 
    would generate.
        EPA is also considering a requirement that if in-use credits are 
    generated and used from an engine family with a CL below the applicable 
    emission standard or FEL, then the CL would become an enforceable limit 
    for the engine family that generated the credits. This condition on the 
    generation and use of credits would help ensure that the emissions 
    reductions on which they are based would be real, permanent, and 
    enforceable. EPA has consistently used such an approach before 
    approving the use of credits for emissions reductions. Under such a 
    system, an engine family would have to continue to meet the CL on which 
    credits were based if it were tested again in-use. If it did not, then 
    in-use credits would be required to avoid noncompliance. It is 
    important to note that this would not affect or change in any way the 
    generation or use of credits during certification.
        The Agency proposes to require manufacturers to use in-use credits 
    at a higher rate than the credits were generated. While EPA believes 
    that it is important for manufacturers to have the option of remedying 
    in-use problems through in-use averaging rather than through much more 
    costly and uncertain recall actions, it would be better to not have in-
    use failures at all. EPA wants to maintain a strong incentive for 
    manufacturers to produce engines that pass their in-use audits, and an 
    incentive to achieve that is to require manufacturers who must use in-
    use credits to do so at a greater rate than the credits are generated. 
    Therefore, EPA proposes that manufacturers use credits at a rate of 1.2 
    to 1. In other words, EPA is proposing that manufacturers offset 120 
    percent of the negative credits identified by the in-use testing 
    program with positive credits. In this way, the in-use credit program 
    will achieve an additional environmental benefit when manufacturers 
    underestimate FELs and will provide an added incentive to manufacturers 
    to adequately identify expected full useful life emission levels when 
    choosing the certification FEL. This would be a penalty for 
    underestimating certification FELs. EPA requests comment on the 
    appropriateness of this penalty, including whether the penalty should 
    be larger, smaller, or not imposed at all.
        This penalty may result in a greater environmental benefit than 
    accounted for in the cost-benefit calculation. However, EPA is not 
    taking a benefit in that calculation, because it expects engines to 
    comply in-use with the certification FEL. In other words, EPA expects 
    there will be few engine families that need to use in-use credits.
        The credit calculation formula is as follows: Credits earned per 
    engine family=
    
    FEL=the pollutant specific family emission limit for the engine family 
    in g/kW-hr.
    CL=compliance level of the in-use testing in g/kW-hr.
    SALES=the number of engines in the engine family sold in the U.S. 
    calculated per the certification rules which are the ``first delivery'' 
    concept.
    Power=the average power of an engine family in kW. (sales weighted)
    AF=adjustment factor for the number of tests conducted
    U(t)=use in hours per year at age t, defined as
    
    [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMMITTED] TP07FE96.000
    
    where
    
    t=age of the engine in years
    use=mean use in hours per year, usage rate specific to 
    the application; for outboard engines, hours per year = 34.8; for 
    personal watercraft, hours per year = 77.3; for sterndrive/inboard 
    engines, hours per year = 47.6 life = the mean life in 
    years of the engine; life=10 for personal watercraft and 
    for outboards
    [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMMITTED] TP07FE96.001
    
    S(t)=the cumulative fraction survived at time t
    where life is the mean life in years of the engine; 
    life= 10 for personal watercraft; and for outboards
    
    [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMMITTED] TP07FE96.002
    
        EPA requests comment on the use of the average power rating of an 
    engine family. For certification provisions, EPA proposed to use the 
    minimum power rating for engines below the applicable emission standard 
    and the maximum power rating for engines above the applicable emission 
    standard. EPA requests comments in light of the proposed certification 
    requirements on power rating.
        The Agency proposes that results of in-use testing of an engine 
    family may apply to similar engine families from other model years, 
    provided the engine families had received carry-over certification 
    because the emission characteristics of the engine family had not 
    changed. Therefore, if a carry-over engine family was tested and the CL 
    was below the FEL, the engine family could earn credits for a total of 
    up to four model years (the MY of the engine family tested, plus the 
    two model years prior and the MY after: ``minus two, plus one''). 
    However, if the CL was above the FEL, then the engine family would owe 
    credits for a total of up to four model years.
        For example, in the year 2002 the Agency may request testing of a 
    manufacturer's MY 2001 engine family, which has received carry-over 
    certification from 1998-2002. The manufacturer would conduct the audit. 
    In this example, suppose the CL for the engine family were found to be 
    below the FEL. Since the emission results of an audit of a carry-over 
    engine family can apply to two previous years and one subsequent year 
    of the MY of the engine family tested, this engine family would earn 
    credits for the model years 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002. Similarly, if 
    the CL was greater than the FEL, it would require credits for those 
    same years. Any generated credits would be identified as MY 2001 
    credits for recordkeeping purposes.
        The Agency proposes to implement this carry-over by applying test 
    results from a given MY engine family to the corresponding engine 
    family from other model years that involve carry-over certification for 
    a number of reasons. The Agency has limited itself to requiring a 
    manufacturer to audit only 
    
    [[Page 4617]]
    25 percent of its engine families in any given MY. It would take at 
    least four years of in-use auditing to cover all of a manufacturer's 
    production. In fact, more than four years might be required, since 
    manufacturers are allowed to drop and add engine families as their 
    product line changes. Accordingly, the Agency believes it is reasonable 
    to apply test results from an audit of an engine family that involves 
    carry-over certification to other MY production. For example, a carry-
    over engine family that has been produced for eight years may pass an 
    in-use audit in year one and fail in year eight. The failure may have 
    occurred in years two through seven. It appears reasonable to EPA that 
    a manufacturer's liability be limited in such situations because some 
    engine families may be produced for many years before they are tested 
    in-use. The four year proposal in this SNPRM was chosen as a compromise 
    between unlimited MY liability and no liability beyond the specific MY 
    that was audited.
        In the administration of the Agency's in-use motor vehicle test 
    program, the Agency has had occasion to be persuaded that an in-use 
    remedy should not apply to a subclass of a given engine family or to a 
    previous MY of a family that involved carry-over certification. The 
    manufacturers have generally submitted test results and other 
    information to support their cases. The Agency believes that a similar 
    approach should apply to the marine in-use credit program. It would 
    provide an opportunity for reductions in the amount of credits a 
    manufacturer might owe for engine families that have been carried over 
    for several years due to the automatic application of the ``minus two, 
    plus one'' carry-over certification rule to credit calculations. The 
    Agency anticipates using this approach infrequently, but believes it 
    should be available due to EPA's experience in the motor vehicle in-use 
    testing program.
        The Agency is proposing unlimited life for in-use credits. Because 
    in-use credits are generated based on real in-use test results, the 
    validity of the credits are not in question. With the concern about 
    validity of credits removed, an economic rationale supports unlimited 
    life. The banked positive credits represent emission reductions beyond 
    the requirements of the regulations, or ``excess credits''. The present 
    value concept applies to benefits (e.g., emission reductions) as well 
    as cost. In other words, just as a dollar today is worth more than a 
    dollar tomorrow, so too an environmental benefit today is worth more 
    than a benefit tomorrow. However, EPA is not proposing to adjust upward 
    the amount of credits banked to appropriate future value as would be 
    required to properly account for present value with each year the 
    credit is banked. Therefore, it is actually more beneficial to the 
    environment for manufacturers to use the ``excess credits'' banked for 
    exceedances in future years, because the banked credits inherently have 
    a higher present value. Therefore, using the banked positive credits 
    with a higher present value, although they are unadjusted, to offset 
    negative credits in a future year yields a net environmental benefit 
    because the banked credits have a real value higher than the value of 
    the future year's negative credits. In this instance, the net 
    environmental benefit is a ``shadow'' benefit insofar as it is 
    philosophically valued yet unaccounted for.
        The Agency is proposing that the United States sales figures used 
    in the marine certification program for each engine family would also 
    apply to this in-use credit program. The Agency sees no need and little 
    benefit to conducting two separate analyses of the engine sales in the 
    United States.
        In order for EPA to determine manufacturer in-use compliance, the 
    manufacturer would be required to submit an end of the MY in-use 
    testing report. This report would have to be submitted within 90 days 
    of the end of the in-use testing period for a given engine family for 
    each MY, or at the same time as the final certification ABT report, 
    whichever is later. The end of the MY in-use testing report would 
    contain the calculated credits from all the in-use testing conducted by 
    the manufacturer for a given MY. Also, within ten days after the end of 
    an in-use audit for an engine family, the manufacturer would submit a 
    report indicating the test results and the calculated CL for the engine 
    family.
        To ensure that the environment would not be adversely affected, EPA 
    proposes that manufacturers may not enter into a deficit situation as a 
    result of credit trading with other manufacturers. For the same reason, 
    manufacturers may not carry over deficits from one MY to another. A 
    manufacturer must obtain sufficient credits to meet its needs each MY, 
    whether those credits are generated by its own engine families or 
    obtained through trading. Trading may occur only after the 
    manufacturer's in-use testing for that MY has been completed, and a 
    manufacturer may only trade to another manufacturer credits that are in 
    the bank at that time.
        The integrity of the proposed marine in-use credit program depends 
    on accurate recordkeeping and reporting by manufacturers and effective 
    tracking and auditing by EPA. Failure of a manufacturer to maintain the 
    required records would result in the certificates for the affected 
    engine families being void ab initio. Violations of reporting 
    requirements could result in a manufacturer being subject to penalties 
    of up to $25,000 per day of violation as authorized by sections 205 and 
    213 of the CAA.
        The Agency has prepared a supplementary document, available from 
    the docket for this rulemaking, which discusses in-use credit issues in 
    more detail. This document includes examples of calculations of credits 
    in a variety of situations.
        The proposed regulations include hearing provisions which allow the 
    manufacturer to challenge EPA's audit of in-use credit calculations and 
    the manner in which those credits were used/generated.
    
    G. Labeling Requirements
    
        As described in the NPRM, each certified engine must bear a label 
    indicating the engine family name and the standard or FEL to which it 
    is certified. Any engine imported into the United States in a vessel 
    must have an engine which also complies with the labeling requirements.
        The Agency considered proposing in this SNPRM the idea of a system 
    of labeling engines (or, possibly, watercraft in the case of SD/I 
    applications) that would encourage purchase of the cleanest engines and 
    discourage purchase of the highest-polluting engines. Such a system 
    could be a marketing tool. For example, the cleanest engines could be 
    designated as ``green engines'' or engines which are most 
    environmentally friendly. The highest-polluting engines could also be 
    designated in such a way as to let the consumer know that there are 
    cleaner engines available for purchase. EPA proposed a ``green engine'' 
    label in the NPRM. However, EPA did not propose to label engines that 
    are dirtier. EPA seeks here to elicit comments on a system which would 
    also identify which engines are the dirtier engines. One option would 
    be to identify all engines that do not meet the MY 2006 average 
    emission standard as a ``dirty engine.''
        EPA does not intend to go forward with such a proposal in this 
    rulemaking. Nevertheless, EPA requests comment on the advisability of 
    proposing labeling provisions of this type at some later date for use 
    in conjunction with educational outreach to consumers. 
    
    [[Page 4618]]
    
    
    H. Addition of Competition Exclusion and Revised Criteria for National 
    Security Exemption for Marine Rule and Other Nonroad Rules
    
        The Agency is proposing to amend or re-propose certain provisions 
    of the existing land-based nonroad CI (>37 kW) rule,\20\ the existing 
    nonroad SI (19 kW) rule,\21\ and this proposed marine engine 
    rule, in order to make the exclusions and national security exemptions 
    (NSEs) in these rules more closely follow EPA's long-standing treatment 
    of exclusions and NSEs in the on-highway motor vehicle program.
    
        \20\ 59 FR 31306 (June 17, 1994); see also 40 CFR Part 89.
        \21\ 60 FR 34582 (July 3, 1995); to be codified at 40 CFR Part 
    90.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        In the motor vehicle program, the regulations exclude from their 
    scope any vehicle that exhibits features which render its use on a 
    street or highway unsafe, impractical or highly unlikely, including 
    features ordinarily associated with military combat or tactical 
    vehicles such as armor and/or permanently affixed weaponry. 40 CFR 
    85.1703. This exclusion criterion is grounded in the definition of 
    ``motor vehicle'' in the CAA, which restricts the term to vehicles that 
    are designed for transporting persons or property on a street or 
    highway. See Section 216(2) of the CAA.
        The statutory definition of ``nonroad engine'' provides no 
    comparable basis for a combat exclusion. See Section 216(10). However, 
    EPA believes that the national security exemption set forth in Section 
    203(b)(1) of the Act allows EPA to grant a regulatory exemption to 
    nonroad engines that exhibit ``combat features.'' There are many 
    potential uses of nonroad engines in military and national defenses 
    settings. Accordingly, the Agency proposes to include an automatic 
    national security exemption for nonroad engines, nonroad vehicles, and 
    nonroad equipment that exhibit combat features in the two existing 
    nonroad rules (for CI engines greater than 37 kW and SI engines less 
    than or equal to 19 kW), and in the marine engine rule. All nonroad 
    engines vehicles, and equipment within the scope of the regulations 
    which exhibit the combat features described in the regulations would 
    automatically enjoy an NSE; manufacturers of such products would not be 
    required to apply for this exemption.
        While the statutory basis for the automatic nonroad national 
    security exemption differs from the statutory basis for the motor 
    vehicle combat exclusion, the end result is substantially the same. EPA 
    believes that establishing an automatic NSE for the nonroad programs 
    accords with Congressional intent to offer a national security 
    exemption and decreases significantly the burden for manufacturers and 
    EPA that would exist if EPA limited the availability of an NSE to those 
    manufacturers who apply to EPA and receive approval, as occurs in the 
    motor vehicle program. See 40 CFR 85.1708.
        EPA also proposes that manufacturers who produce a nonroad engine, 
    nonroad vehicle, or nonroad equipment which does not meet the ``combat 
    features'' criterion, but may otherwise require an NSE, may apply to 
    the Agency for an NSE in a manner similar to the national security 
    exemption process offered in the motor vehicle program. See 40 CFR 
    85.1703. (A slightly different version of the proposed regulatory text 
    on this issue already appears in Parts 89 and 90.) Additionally, the 
    Agency proposes to promulgate a requirement that EPA maintain a 
    publicly available list of NSEs granted to nonroad engines, vehicles, 
    and equipment by EPA after manufacturer application.
        Finally, EPA proposes to add a general competition exclusion to the 
    marine rule; the NPRM had limited the competition exclusion to imported 
    vessels. EPA believes this revised proposal accords with the CAA's 
    definition of nonroad engine, which excludes nonroad engines used in a 
    vehicle that is used solely for competition. See Section 216(2) of the 
    Act.
    
    I. Engine Family Definition
    
        The Agency proposed an engine family definition in the NPRM that 
    allowed the manufacturers flexibility to further segregate engine 
    families beyond the proposed criteria, but did not allow manufacturers 
    the flexibility to consolidate engine families. Comments in response to 
    the NPRM indicated that it would be appropriate to include flexibility 
    allowing manufacturers to consolidate engine families.
        It is acceptable to consolidate engine families, particularly SD/I 
    engine families, beyond the criteria proposed in the NPRM. For 
    instance, SD/I engines may be marinized by different manufacturers yet 
    have the same basic engine block produced by, for example, General 
    Motors. The emission characteristics should be similar across most 
    marinized engines with the same engine block, even if produced by other 
    manufacturers. Generally, EPA would not expect the emission 
    characteristics to be similar in the degree to which EPA expects on-
    highway engine families to be similar. The degree of emission control 
    that is necessary for on-highway applications requires that the concept 
    of ``similar'' emission characteristics be more narrowly defined. For 
    these reasons, EPA is proposing that engines differing in one or more 
    of the characteristics proposed to define engine families (i.e., 
    combustion cycle, cooling mechanism, cylinder configuration, number of 
    cylinders, catalytic converter, thermal reactor characteristics) may be 
    grouped in the same engine family if the manufacturer can show that the 
    in-use emission characteristics are expected to be similar.
    
    J. Harmonization With the International Maritime Organization
    
        As stated in the NPRM, EPA requests comment on harmonization with 
    the International Maritime Organization (IMO) proposal to regulate 
    emissions from new oceangoing vessels. A copy of this IMO proposal is 
    located in the docket. EPA intends on harmonizing with the IMO emission 
    standard levels for compression-ignition marine engines. EPA requests 
    comment on specific ways to harmonize. EPA's NPRM proposed an average 
    NOX emission standard of 9.2 g/kW-hr, while the IMO NOX 
    emission standard varies from 9.8 g/kW-hr to 17.0 g/kW-hr, depending on 
    engine speed. EPA's proposed NOX emission standard is an average 
    in which the engine can be either below or above, so long as the 
    emissions above the standard are compensated with emissions below the 
    standard. On the other hand, the IMO NOX emission standard is a 
    cap type standard that all engines must be less than.
        Although EPA is not prepared to re-propose a different NOX 
    emission standard, there are several alternatives that seem to exist 
    that would result in a harmonized NOX emission standard structure 
    with IMO. One alternative would be to adopt the IMO NOX emission 
    standard instead of the standard proposed in the NPRM. This would 
    result in a cap type standard at the same NOX levels as the IMO 
    NOX emission standard across the engine speed range. A second 
    alternative would be to retain the proposed average NOX emission 
    standard of 9.2 g/kW-hr and to also adopt the IMO emission standards 
    across the engine speed range as a cap which no engine could exceed. In 
    this way, clean engines would be encouraged through the market for 
    emission credits. Third, it may be appropriate to determine an engine 
    speed or engine power output cutoff point. Such a point could be used 
    to apply the IMO cap emission standard to all engines of high 
    horsepower and low 
    
    [[Page 4619]]
    and medium speeds. On the other hand, high speed engines with lower 
    horsepower could meet the 9.2 g/kW-hr average standard proposed with 
    the 9.8 g/kW-hr IMO level as a cap which no engine could exceed. This 
    may be appropriate to encourage clean technology and because the high 
    speed engines are used in other nonroad applications in addition to 
    marine. Finally, EPA must determine whether and how to harmonize each 
    of the emission standards for HC, CO, PM and smoke set forth in the 
    NPRM with IMO's NOX-only emission control approach. With respect 
    to each of these standards, EPA could retain the standard as proposed 
    in the NPRM, drop it, or alter it in some way.
        EPA requests comment on ways to harmonize with the IMO emission 
    standards, including the alternatives mentioned here and any 
    alternatives that commenters can devise to integrate the standards. EPA 
    thinks that harmonization is an important issue and intends on 
    finalizing a harmonized NOX emission standard. EPA requests 
    comment on the extent to which it is appropriate for EPA to harmonize 
    the enforcement requirements in its final rule with the enforcement 
    scheme proposed in the IMO regulation. For example, EPA may finalize 
    its rule such that to the extent that ship owners are liable for engine 
    emissions under the IMO's finalized Marpol Annex, EPA may exercise its 
    discretion under the CAA to not hold engine manufacturers liable for 
    the same emissions. Similarly, EPA would expect to revise its 
    regulations to the extent necessary to harmonize the enforcement scheme 
    with that of the IMO's finalized Marpol Annex However, EPA is concerned 
    about the potential for a regulatory gap between the time EPA's 
    regulation is implemented and the time when IMO's Marpol Annex would be 
    implemented. EPA is considering applying harmonized or integrated 
    emission standards until IMO's Marpol Annex is finalized so that EPA's 
    regulation achieves emission reductions according to the schedule 
    proposed in the NPRM (i.e., implementation of emission standards 
    beginning in MY 1999).
        Finally, EPA is considering whether its test procedures proposed in 
    the NPRM are appropriate for CI engines above 1500 kW. EPA's 
    requirements are for test bed testing only, where as the IMO's Marpol 
    Annex includes an option for testing such engines on-board vessels. EPA 
    requests comment as to whether EPA test procedures are or should be 
    harmonized with IMO test procedures, including details regarding any 
    changes that are needed to bring EPA's procedures in harmony with the 
    proposed IMO procedures.
    
    V. Public Participation
    
    A. Comments and the Public Docket
    
        The Agency welcomes comments on all aspects of this SNPRM. While 
    EPA is not publishing the proposed regulatory language, EPA welcomes 
    comment on it. The proposed regulatory language can be found in the 
    docket, or can be requested from EPA on a floppy disk, or can be 
    retrieved from the TTN (see information in section I. of this 
    preamble). Commenters are especially encouraged to give suggestions for 
    changing any aspects of the proposal that they find objectionable. 
    Comments are also encouraged to identify those aspects of the proposal 
    that they favor, since EPA may finalize some, but not all, of the 
    proposals contained in this Notice. Also, commenters are encouraged to 
    offer additional comments on the proposals contained in the NPRM should 
    the proposals set forth in this SNPRM affect their views of the NPRM 
    proposals. All comments, with the exception of proprietary information, 
    should be directed to the EPA Air Docket Section, Docket No. A-92-28 
    (see ADDRESSES).
        Commenters who wish to submit proprietary information for 
    consideration should clearly separate such information from other 
    comments by (1) labeling proprietary information ``Confidential 
    Business Information'' and (2) sending proprietary information directly 
    to the contact person listed (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT) and 
    not to the public docket. This will help insure that proprietary 
    information is not inadvertently placed in the docket. If a commenter 
    wants EPA to use a submission labeled as confidential information as 
    part of the basis for the final rule, then a nonconfidential version of 
    the document that summarizes the key data or information should be sent 
    to the docket.
        Information covered by a claim of confidentiality will be disclosed 
    by EPA only to the extent allowed and in accordance with the procedures 
    set forth in 40 CFR part 2. If no claim of confidentiality accompanies 
    the submission when it is received by EPA, it will be made available to 
    the public without further notice to the commenter.
    
    B. Public Hearing
    
        As noted above (see DATES), EPA will hold a public hearing on this 
    SNPRM on February 22, 1996, if EPA receives from any party a request to 
    testify at the hearing. Any person desiring to present testimony at the 
    public hearing must notify the contact person listed above of such 
    intent no later than February 20, 1996. The contact person should also 
    be given an estimate of the time required for the presentation of the 
    testimony and notification of any need for audio/visual equipment. 
    Testimony will be scheduled on a first come, first served basis. A 
    sign-up sheet also will be available at the registration table the 
    morning of the hearing for scheduling testimony.
        The Agency suggests that approximately 50 copies of any statement 
    or material to be presented be brought to the hearing for distribution 
    to the audience. In addition, EPA would find it helpful to receive an 
    advance copy of any statement or material to be presented at the 
    hearing at least five days before the scheduled hearing date, in order 
    to give EPA staff adequate time to review such material before the 
    hearing. Advance copies should be submitted to the contact person 
    listed.
        If a hearing is held, the official record of the hearing will be 
    kept open for 30 days following the hearing to allow submission of 
    rebuttal and supplementary testimony. All such submittals should be 
    directed to the Air Docket, Docket No. A-92-28 (see ADDRESSES).
        The hearing will be conducted informally, and technical rules of 
    evidence will not apply. A written transcript of the hearing will be 
    placed in the above docket for review. Anyone desiring to purchase a 
    copy of the transcript should make individual arrangements with the 
    court reporter recording the proceeding.
    
    VI. Administrative Requirements
    
    A. Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements
    
        The information collection requirements in the NPRM were submitted 
    for approval to the OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 
    3501 et seq. EPA prepared eight Information Collection Request (ICR) 
    documents for the NPRM. Copies of the ICR documents may be obtained 
    from Sandy Farmer, Information Policy Branch, EPA, 401 M St. SW. (mail 
    code 2136), Washington, DC 20460 or by calling (202) 260-2740.
        The eight ICR documents that have been prepared are:
    
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
           EPA ICR document No.                  Type of information        
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    1722.01...........................  Certification/AB&T.                 
    282.07............................  Emission Defect Information.        
    
    [[Page 4620]]
                                                                            
    1723.01...........................  Importation of Nonconforming        
                                         Engines.                           
    1724.01...........................  Selective Enforcement Auditing.     
    0012.08...........................  Engine Exclusion Determination.     
    0095.07...........................  Precertification and Testing        
                                         Exemption.                         
    1725.01...........................  Manufacturers' Assembly Line        
                                         Testing.                           
    1726.01...........................  Manufacturers' In-use Testing.      
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    
    
        Each ICR document estimates the public reporting, recordkeeping, 
    and testing burden for collecting the specified information, including 
    time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, 
    gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing the 
    collection of information. In the NPRM, the Agency estimated that the 
    public burden for the collection of information for all the ICRs would 
    average approximately 6,050 hours annually for a typical engine 
    manufacturer. The hours spent by a manufacturer for information 
    collection activities in any given year would be highly dependent upon 
    manufacturer specific variables, such as the number of engine families, 
    production changes, emissions defects, etc.
        OMB originally denied all the ICRs that EPA submitted with the 
    NPRM. OMB has subsequently approved two of these (1723.01, for 
    Importation of Nonconforming Engines and 0012.08, for Engine Exclusion 
    Determination), but the rest have not been approved as of the date of 
    publication of this SNPRM. Without OMB approval of these information 
    collection requests, EPA cannot implement the regulations once 
    finalized. Therefore, EPA submitted new information collection requests 
    in conjunction with this SNPRM that indicate that the reporting and 
    recordkeeping requirements of the proposal as a whole are significantly 
    less than estimated in the NPRM due to the small manufacturer criteria 
    and provisions, the manufacturer production line testing program, the 
    in-use credit program, the significantly reduced administrative 
    programs for SD/I engines, and other proposals set forth in this SNPRM.
        The new estimates are also based on additional information 
    indicating that the rule affects more manufacturers, and potentially a 
    larger number of small manufacturers. This new information prompted EPA 
    to reduce administrative program burdens as much as possible. EPA now 
    estimates that the public burden for the collection of information for 
    all ICRs under the proposed rule as a whole would average approximately 
    4,200 hours annually for a typical engine manufacturer.
        Comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this 
    collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this 
    burden should be sent to Chief, Information Policy Branch, EPA, 401 M 
    St., SW. (mail code 2136), Washington, DC 20460; and to the Office of 
    Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 
    Washington, DC 20503, marked ``Attention: Desk Officer for EPA.'' The 
    final rule will respond to any OMB or public comments on the 
    information collection requirements contained in this SNPRM and the 
    NPRM.
    
    B. Impact on Small Entities
    
        The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 requires federal agencies to 
    identify potentially adverse impacts of federal regulations upon small 
    entities. In instances where significant impacts are possible on a 
    substantial number of these entities, agencies are required to perform 
    a Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (RFA). The RFA explores options for 
    minimizing those impacts.
        As mentioned in the NPRM, EPA considered, but rejected, the notion 
    of exempting small manufacturers from enforcement programs or from the 
    regulation entirely. A more proportionate sharing of cost burden was 
    deemed appropriate. The pollution emitted by each of these engines not 
    only contributes to ambient air quality problems but also has health 
    impacts on the user of the engine who is in close proximity to the 
    exhaust emissions.
        However, as stated in the NPRM, EPA has recently adopted a new 
    approach to regulatory flexibility: 22 for purposes of EPA's 
    implementation of the Act, any impact is a significant impact, and any 
    number of small entities is a substantial number. Thus, EPA will 
    consider regulatory options for every regulation subject to the Act 
    that can reasonably be expected to have an impact on small entities. In 
    light of this new approach, EPA has determined that, if no provisions 
    were established to take economic effects into account, this rule would 
    be likely to have a significant effect on a substantial number of small 
    entities. As a result, in addition to the flexibility inherent in 
    averaging, trading, and banking of emissions, EPA has tailored this 
    rule to minimize the cost burdens imposed on smaller engine 
    manufacturers.
    
        \22\ Habicht, F. Henry II, Deputy Administrator, Internal EPA 
    Memorandum, ``Revised Guidelines for Implementing the Regulatory 
    Flexibility Act,'' April 9, 1992.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        The Agency performed an RFA in conjunction with the NPRM.23 
    Subsequent comments on the NPRM indicated that EPA's proposal would 
    indeed adversely impact small manufacturers while providing little 
    environmental benefit. Specifically, many small manufacturers of SD/I 
    gasoline engines and marinized CI engines came forward to inform EPA of 
    the severe impacts the proposed regulations would have on their 
    businesses.
    
        \23\ 59 FR 55930 (November 9, 1994).
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        In this SNPRM, EPA proposes small manufacturer exemptions and 
    flexibility provisions, so as to ensure that this rulemaking does not 
    unduly burden small manufacturers. The Agency is supplementing the RFA 
    to reflect these proposals. EPA requests comment as to whether the 
    proposed small manufacturer exemptions and provisions adequately 
    address the needs of affected manufacturers.
    
    C. Executive Order 12866
    
        Under Executive Order 12866,24 the Agency must determine 
    whether the regulatory action is ``significant'' and therefore subject 
    to review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the 
    requirements of the Executive Order. The Order defines ``significant 
    regulatory action'' as one that is likely to result in a rule that may:
    
        \24\ 58 FR 51735 (October 4, 1993).
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        (1) Have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more 
    or adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the 
    economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public 
    health or safety, or state, local, or tribal governments or 
    communities;
        (2) Create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with 
    an action taken or planned by another agency;
        (3) Materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlements, 
    grants, user fees, or loan programs or the rights and obligations of 
    recipients thereof; or
        (4) Raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal 
    mandates, the President's priorities, or the principles set forth in 
    the Executive Order.
    
        Pursuant to the terms of Executive Order 12866, the Agency has 
    determined that the NPRM, which this notice supplements, is a 
    ``significant regulatory action'' because it may adversely affect in a 
    material way that sector of the economy involved with the production of 
    marine engines. As such, this action was submitted to OMB for review. 
    Changes made in response to OMB suggestions or recommendations will be 
    documented in the public record. 
    
    [[Page 4621]]
    
    
    D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
    
        Under Section 202 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 
    (``UMRA''), Public Law 104-4, EPA must prepare a budgetary impact 
    statement to accompany any general notice of proposed rulemaking or 
    final rule that includes a Federal mandate which may result in 
    estimated costs to State, local, or tribal governments in the 
    aggregate, or to the private sector, of $100 million or more. Under 
    Section 205, for any rule subject to Section 202 EPA generally must 
    select the least costly, most cost-effective, or least burdensome 
    alternative that achieves the objectives of the rule and is consistent 
    with statutory requirements. Under Section 203, before establishing any 
    regulatory requirements that may significantly or uniquely affect small 
    governments, EPA must take steps to inform and advise small governments 
    of the requirements and enable them to provide input.
        EPA has determined that today's supplemental proposal regarding 
    marine engines and proposed revisions to Parts 89 and 90 of the CFR do 
    not trigger the requirements of UMRA. EPA expects to prepare a 
    budgetary impact statement in compliance with Section 202 of the UMRA, 
    and to follow the requirements of Section 205 of the UMRA, at the time 
    it issues a final rule on marine engines.
    
    List of Subjects
    
    40 CFR Part 89
    
        Administrative practice and procedure, Air pollution control, 
    Confidential business information, Environmental protection, Imports, 
    Incorporation by reference, Labeling, Nonroad source pollution, 
    Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
    
    40 CFR Part 90
    
        Administrative practice and procedure, Air pollution control, 
    Confidential business information, Environmental protection, Imports, 
    Incorporation by reference, Labeling, Nonroad source pollution, 
    Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
    
    40 CFR Part 91
    
        Administrative practice and procedure, Air pollution control, 
    Confidential business information, Environmental protection, Imports, 
    Incorporation by reference, Labeling, Nonroad source pollution, 
    Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
    
        Dated: January 26, 1996.
    Carol M. Browner,
    Administrator.
    [FR Doc. 96-2230 Filed 2-6-96; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
    
    

Document Information

Published:
02/07/1996
Department:
Environmental Protection Agency
Entry Type:
Proposed Rule
Action:
Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking; proposed revisions.
Document Number:
96-2230
Dates:
The comment period for this rulemaking will reopen on February 7, 1996, for purposes of taking comment on issues raised in this SNPRM and will remain open until March 8, 1996, or 30 days after the date of a public hearing, if one is held.
Pages:
4600-4621 (22 pages)
Docket Numbers:
FRL-5412-3
RINs:
2060-AE54: Emission Standards for Gasoline Spark-Ignition and Diesel Compression-Ignition Marine Engines
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/2060-AE54/emission-standards-for-gasoline-spark-ignition-and-diesel-compression-ignition-marine-engines
PDF File:
96-2230.pdf
CFR: (3)
40 CFR 89
40 CFR 90
40 CFR 91