Environment DEC
From the June 2005 issue
Proposed Cuts to Greenhouse Gas Emissions Announced
New York is committed to reducing vehicle emissions
Governor George E. Pataki has announced proposed regulations that will require significant reductions in motor vehicle greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming. New York is the first state to propose a regulation that would adopt California's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions regulations.
"Motor vehicle emissions are one of the largest sources of air pollution in New York State and in urban areas throughout our nation," Governor Pataki said. "New York is a national leader in the fight for cleaner air, and we are committed to doing all we can to reduce vehicle emissions and encourage the use of cleaner, renewable fuels and technology. These proposed regulations will help reduce the amount of harmful greenhouse gases being released into our environment that contribute to global climate change, protecting our natural resources and improving the quality of life of all New Yorkers."
Reducing Greenhouse Gases
In his 2003 State-of-the-State Address, Governor Pataki called for New York to work to reduce greenhouse gases by adopting the greenhouse gas emission standards for motor vehicles which were proposed by California. By proposing the regulation announced, the State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is fulfilling the Governor's commitment and enhancing New York's status as a leader in addressing global climate change.
Low Emission Vehicle Program
This label indicates a vehicle conforms to the EPA's NLEV regulations
New York first adopted the California Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) Program in the early 1990s and has continued to follow the cleaner LEV program as it has evolved. Under the Clean Air Act, states have the right to adopt the more stringent California LEV Program for its reduced automotive emissions, or they must adhere to federal standards. States may not create their own programs regulating vehicle emissions. The proposal announced recently is the latest in a series of changes necessary for New York to maintain adherence to the California LEV Program.
Traditionally, the LEV program has focused on reducing nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from tailpipe and fuel-system emissions. The latest version of the program specifically addresses greenhouse gases for the first time, in recognition of how the transportation sector contributes to the problem of global climate change. The regulation proposed by DEC revises New York's existing LEV program to address the adverse impact that greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) can have on the state's and the world's climates if left uncontrolled.
DEC Acting Commissioner Denise M. Sheehan said, "Governor Pataki's aggressive approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions has solidified New York as a national leader in air quality initiatives. This proposed regulation will further our state's efforts to address climate change emissions in an effective way, while providing flexibility to automotive manufacturers to help achieve compliance."
Climate-Changing Emissions
Vehicles discharge climate-changing emissions in several ways: emissions of CO2, CH4, and N2O resulting directly from the operation of the vehicle; emissions of CO2 resulting from the operation of the air conditioning (AC) system (indirect AC emissions); emissions of refrigerant from the AC system due to leakage, losses during recharging, collision damage or scrapping at the end of the vehicle's useful life, and emissions associated with the production of the fuel used by the vehicle. All of these elements are incorporated into the proposed GHG emission reduction standard.
Options for Change
Based on an analysis done by California, options to assist in complying with New York's proposed regulation-some of which are currently being implemented by manufacturers-include: charge modification (turbo and super-charging); cylinder deactivation; six-speed transmissions, and variable displacement air conditioning compressors, among others.
The regulation mandates new vehicle certification levels for all passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty passenger vehicles beginning with the 2009 model year. Manufacturers of all 2009 vehicles and later models will be required to meet a fleet-average standard that becomes more stringent each year through 2016. The fleet- average standard is the emissions standard that a manufacturer's average emissions must meet for its entire product line. There is one standard for passenger cars and light trucks, sport utility vehicles, and minivans, and another standard for heavier trucks and SUVs.
Estimated Benefits
DEC estimates that adoption of the proposed regulation will reduce New York State's light- and medium-duty vehicle GHG emissions by an estimated 14,855,500 CO2-equivalent tons per year in 2020, and by 26,280,000 CO2-equivalent tons per year in 2030. The proposed regulation will take effect for the 2009 model year.
Help for Motor Vehicle Manufacturers
The proposed regulation also provides flexibility to assist vehicle manufacturers in complying with the regulations. Under the declining fleet-average standard, the emissions from a manufacturer's entire product line will have to meet the standard, not necessarily each individual vehicle; various combinations of existing and emerging control technologies; early reduction credits and credit trading for 2000-2008 model year vehicles that meet or exceed the 2012 standards (credits can be traded between vehicle categories and to other manufacturers to offset a compliance deficit), and alternative compliance options that involve increased use of alternative fuels in model year 2009 and later vehicles covered by the regulation.
Public Hearings
Upon being published in the New York State Register on May 18, 2005, the proposed regulation became subject to a public comment period. Public hearings are being held in four locations across the state, and comments will be accepted until 5 PM on July 15, 2005-five business days after the last scheduled public hearing. Hearing dates, times and locations are listed below:
- Tuesday, July 5, 2005 @ 1 PM - NYSDEC, Region 8 Office, Conference Room, 6274 East Avon-Lima Road (Rts. 5 and 20), Avon, NY 14414
- Wednesday, July 6, 2005 @ 9 AM - NYSDEC Annex, Region 2, 11-15 47th Ave., Hearing Room 106, Long Island City, NY 11101-13215
- Thursday, July 7, 2005 @ 9 AM - NYSDEC, Region 5 Office, Conference Room, 1115 Route 86, Ray Brook, NY 12977-0926
- Friday, July 8, 2005 @ 9 AM - NYSDEC, 625 Broadway, Public Assembly Room 129B, Albany, NY 12233
For more information, or to view the proposed regulation, please go to DEC's Web Site.
