Environment DEC
From the December 2005 issue
State Environmental Board Approves New Vehicle Emissions Standards
At a recently held public meeting, the New York State Environmental Board approved state regulations requiring significant reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from motor vehicles. These regulations will reduce pollutants that contribute to global climate change.
GHG Reduction Commitment
The new standards specifically
address greenhouse gases, and
will result in cleaner burning
vehicles, such as this Toyota hybrid
"Under the leadership of Governor Pataki, New York is demonstrating our commitment to improving air quality and addressing climate change by reducing harmful emissions in our state and beyond," State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Denise M. Sheehan said. "The approved regulations will further our commitment to reducing greenhouse gases and continue the progress being made to create a cleaner environment and healthier communities."
In his 2003 State of the State address, Governor Pataki called for New York to work to reduce greenhouse gases by adopting the same greenhouse gas emission standards for motor vehicles as were proposed by California. In adopting these regulations, DEC is fulfilling the Governor's commitment and enhancing New York's status as a leader in addressing global climate change.
Meeting Stricter Standards
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 either adhere to federal LEV standards or adopt the more stringent California program for reducing automotive emissions. States may not create their own programs regulating vehicle emissions. The approval of the regulations 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 the large contribution of the transportation sector to the global climate change problem. The regulations revise New York's existing LEV program to address the adverse climate change impacts that greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) can cause in New York, and globally, if left uncontrolled. The regulations will take effect in the 2009 model year.
Emissions Types Covered
Hybrid vehicles monitor emissions
using an in-dash diagnostic system
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); and emissions of refrigerant from the AC system. All of these elements are incorporated into the GHG emission reduction standard.
Based on an analysis done by California, options to assist in complying with the regulations include: charge modification (turbo and super-charging); cylinder deactivation; 6-speed transmissions, and variable displacement, air-conditioning compressors, among others.
The regulations mandate new vehicle certification levels for all passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty passenger vehicles starting with the 2009 model year. Manufacturers of all 2009 and later model year vehicles 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. One standard is for passenger cars and the lightest trucks, sport utility vehicles, and minivans, and another standard is for heavier trucks and SUVs.
DEC estimates that the regulations will reduce New York State's light and medium-duty vehicle GHG emissions by an estimated 14,855,500 CO2 equivalent tons per year by 2020 and 26,280,000 CO2 equivalent tons per year by 2030.
Manufacturers Have Flexibility
The regulations also provide flexibility to assist vehicle manufacturers in complying with the standards. 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. Declining fleet average standard also allows: various combinations of existing and emerging control technologies; early reduction credits and credit trading for 2000-2008 model year vehicles that meet or surpass 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 regulations.
New York State is a national leader in addressing global climate change. In June 2001, Governor Pataki announced the formation of the New York State Greenhouse Gas Task Force to develop policy recommendations for greenhouse gas emissions and global warming. Based on the recommendations of the task force in April 2003, Governor Pataki invited the Governors of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states to join in a regional effort to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from power plants by developing a regional cap and trade program. That effort is currently underway and the states are actively participating in discussions to develop a model for the program.
The 16-member Environmental Board is composed of state agency heads, representatives of the environmental community, citizen groups, business and industry. Now that the regulations are approved, DEC will file the rule making package with the Department of State (DOS). The GHG reduction revisions to the regulations will become final 30 days after filing with DOS. For more background information, see "Related Links" below.
