6 NYCRR Part 218, 252, and 200 Assessment of Public Comments Summary
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (Department) is proposing to amend 6 NYCRR Part 218, Emission Standards for Motor Vehicles and Motor Vehicle Engines; 6 NYCRR Part 200, General Provisions; and repeal 6 NYCRR Part 252, Environmental Performance Labels to reflect changes to California's low emission vehicle (LEV) program that incorporate updated LEV, greenhouse gas (GHG), zero emission vehicle (ZEV), environmental performance label, aftermarket catalytic converter, and emissions warranty and recall standards; and to maintain identical standards with California for a given weight class as required under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act. Section 177 provides that states may adopt the California new vehicle emissions standards provided that these standards are identical to California's.
The Department published the proposed regulations on August 1, 2012. Hearings were held in Avon on September 17, 2012; Albany on September 19, 2012; and Long Island City on September 20, 2012. The comment period closed at 5:00 p.m. on September 27, 2012. The Department received written and oral comments from seven commenters representing vehicle and emission control component manufacturer trade organizations, environmental groups, and public health groups. All of the comments have been reviewed, summarized, and responded to by the Department.
The commenters expressed support for the Department's adoption of the proposed regulations. No comments were received expressing opposition to the regulation. Comments covered general support for the regulation, public health and environmental benefits, LEV standards, greenhouse gas standards, ZEV standards, aftermarket catalytic converter standards, and emissions warranty and recall. There were also several comments that were determined to be beyond the scope of this rulemaking.
