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Please note: This summary is provided to help you understand the regulations. Consult the references provided for links to the full text of the regulations.

Regulations » Air Quality

Alternative Fuels Summary Full Text
Alternative Fuels - State Regulations Summary Full Text
Asbestos (Buildings) Summary Full Text
Best Speed for Fuel Economy Summary Full Text
Boilers Summary Full Text
Clean Air Act (CAA) Summary Full Text
Cleaning, Solvent Summary Full Text
Crossties (Railroad) Recycling and Disposal Summary Full Text
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Summary Full Text
Diesel Fuel Requirements (Marine) Summary Full Text
Diesel Fuel Requirements (Truck) Summary Full Text
Engine Emissions (Aircraft) Summary Full Text
Engine Emissions (Auxiliary Marine Engines in Port) Summary Full Text
Engine Emissions (Truck, Idling) Summary Full Text
Engine Emissions (Locomotive) Summary Full Text
Engine Emissions (Locomotive, Idling) Summary Full Text
Engine Emissions (Marine Engines) Summary Full Text
Engine Emissions (Nonroad and Auxiliary Equipment) Summary Full Text
Engine Emissions (On-board Diagnostics) Summary Full Text
Engine Emissions (Truck, Tailpipe) Summary Full Text
Engine Tampering Summary Full Text
Freight Density - Impact and Cost Summary Full Text
Greenhouse Gas Comparisons Summary Full Text
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Summary Full Text
LNG Tank Venting Summary Full Text
National Clean Diesel Program Summary Exit TERC
Painting Operations - Vehicle Repainting Summary Full Text
SmartWay Summary Exit TERC
Zero Emission Vehicles Summary Full Text
Alternative Fuels
Applies to:

All vehicles; future standards may specifically affect vehicles powered by alternative fuels.
Requires:

Current standards set minimum fuel efficiency and maximum emissions standards for gasoline and diesel vehicles.
See also:
  • Alternative Fuels - State Regulations
  • Biodiesel
  • Engine Emissions (Truck, Tailpipe)
  • Fuel Efficiency
  • Greenhouse Gas Emissions
    		•
    Alternative Fuels - State Regulations
    Applies to:

    Vehicles registered or operating in specific states.
    Requires:

    Some states require that transportation fuels sold in the state contain minimum amounts of alternative fuels. Other restrictions and incentives apply.
    See also:
  • Alternative Fuels
  • Biodiesel
  • Engine Emissions (Truck, Tailpipe)
  • Fuel Efficiency
  • Greenhouse Gas Emissions
    		•
    Asbestos (Buildings)
    Applies to: Any facility where demolition and renovation operations involve processing, handling, or disposing of asbestos-containg material
    Requires: Rules cover exposure limits, work practices, and documentation
    See also:
    Best Speed for Fuel Economy
    Applies to: Any vehicle
    Requires: Potential for improved fuel economy can be estimated for any vehicle based on engine power and drag forces
    See also:
    Boilers
    Back to Top
    Applies to: Facilities with industrial/commercial/institutional (ICI) boilers rated above 10 MMBtu/hr (2.9 megawatts) are covered by federal air pollution regulations. Some states regulate smaller boilers.
    Requires: Permits are required for new units. Proposed regulations will affect existing units.
    See also:
  • Hazardous Waste (ash from coal-fired boilers)
  • Tank regulations for liquid-fueled boilers:
    • Clean Air Act (CAA)
    Back to Top
    Applies to: The basic federal law regulating emissions of pollutants to the atmosphere
    Requires:

    Facilities that emit pollutants to the atmosphere may require permits, depending on types and quantities of materials emitted, and on geographical location
    See also:
  • Engine Emissions (Truck, Idling)
  • Engine Emissions (Truck, Tailpipe)
  • Greenhouse Gas Emissions
    		•
    Cleaning, Solvent
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    Applies to: Any facility carrying out processes that involve cleaning with petroleum-based (non-water-based) solvents, including degreasers and solvent-based parts washers. The regulations also cover the use and disposal of solvent wetted rags to manually wipe soils from the metal surfaces (hand wiping).
    Requires: Hazardous waste regulations may apply to storage and disposal; some facilities may need air emissions permits.
    See also:
  • Cleaning, Parts Cleaners (Water-based)
  • Hazardous Waste Determination
    		•
    Crossties (Railroad) Recycling and Disposal
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    Applies to: Any facility that generates, collects, recycles, or disposes of used railway ties.
    Requires: Hazardous waste regulations may apply to storage and disposal; some facilities may need air emissions permits.Burning of used crossties in facilities other than cogeneration plants is covered under Federal regulations. Landfill restrictions are generally covered under state and local regulations.
    See also:
  • Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
  • Hazardous Waste Determination
    		•
    Diesel Exhaust Fluids (DEF)
    Applies to: Anyone who owns or operates a Diesel powered vehicle that uses a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system to meet federal engine emissions standards.
    Requires: No additional requirements beyond those applying to engine maintenance and rebuilding -- article provides background and best practices information.
    See also:
  • Clean Air Act
  • Engine Tampering
    		•
    Diesel Fuel Requirements (Marine)
    Applies to: All vessels registered in any of over 150 countries (including the U.S.) that are signatories to the MARPOL agreement.
    Requires: Sulfur content of fuel must be below a specified maximum. Special rules apply when operating in designated geographical areas.
    See also:
  • Alternative Fuels
  • Clean Air Act
  • Engine Emissions (Marine Engines)
  • National Clean Diesel Campaign (exit TERC)
    		•
    Diesel Fuel Requirements (Truck)
    Applies to:

    Applies directly to vehicle and engine manufacturers and the refining industry, who are required to produce cleaner running engines and diesel fuel. Applies indirectly to the transportation sector by affecting the cost and availability of fuel.
    Requires:

    Heavy-duty engines must meet emissions standards for particulates (soot) and ozone precursors (nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons). Diesel fuel must meet limits on sulfur content.
    See also:
  • Alternative Fuels
  • Clean Air Act
  • National Clean Diesel Campaign (exit TERC)
    		•
    Engine Emissions (Aircraft)
    Applies to: Aircraft gas turbine engines with rated thrusts greater than 26.7 kilonewtons (engines used primarily on commercial passenger and freight aircraft).
    Requires: Engines must meet EPA limits on emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx).
    See also:
  • Clean Air Act
    		•
    Engine Emissions (Auxiliary Marine Engines in Port)
    Applies to: Vessels visiting California ports
    Requires: Vessels must turn off auxiliary power generators and switch to land-based power while in port
    See also:
  • Clean Air Act
  • Engine Emissions (Marine Engines)
    		•
    Engine Emissions (Truck, Idling)
    Back to Top
    Applies to: All trucks operating in or passing through an area where state or local idling ordinances are in force. (There are no federal regulations limiting truck idling. However, more than half of U.S. states and dozens of cities and counties have enacted idling laws or ordinances.)
    Requires: Most frequently, idling laws limit the amount of time, in minutes, that a truck and operate its engine while not moving. Many exemptions apply, which can vary widely among locations and states.
    See also:
  • Engine Emissions (Truck, Tailpipe)
  • Fuel Efficiency
  • Greenhouse Gas Emissions
  • National Clean Diesel Campaign (exit TERC)
  • SmartWay Program (exit TERC)
    		•
    Engine Emissions (Locomotive)
    Applies to: All diesel line-haul, passenger, and switch locomotives that operate within the U.S. including newly manufactured locomotives and remanufactured locomotives (this generally happens every five to 15 years, depending on the locomotive) that were originally manufactured after 1972
    Requires: EPA has established emission standards for oxides of nitrogen (NOx), hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), particulate matter (PM) and smoke for newly manufactured and remanufactured locomotives.
    See also:
  • Clean Air Act
  • Engine Emissions (Locomotive, Idling)
  • National Clean Diesel Campaign (exit TERC)
    		•
    Engine Emissions (Locomotive, Idling)
    Back to Top
    Applies to: All diesel line-haul, passenger, and switch locomotives that operate within the U.S. including newly manufactured locomotives and remanufactured locomotives (this generally happens every five to 15 years, depending on the locomotive) that were originally manufactured after 1972
    Requires: The regulations focus on requiring manufacturers to include automatic idle reduction technologies on newly manufactured or remanufactured locomotives, rather than directly regulating when railroads may allow locomotives to idle.
    See also:
  • Clean Air Act
  • Engine Emissions (Locomotive)
  • National Clean Diesel Campaign (exit TERC)
    • Engine Emissions (Marine Engines)
    Applies to: The standards apply most directly to engine manufacturers. However, vessel owners and operators are required to keep emission controls operating as specified, and are responsible for ensuring that engines continue to meet standards if remanufactured.
    Requires: Emissions of soot particles and nitrogen oxides from newly manufactured engines must fall within established limits. The limits depend on engine type, size, and model year.
    See also:
  • Clean Air Act
  • Greenhouse Gas Emissions
  • Engine Emissions (Auxiliary Marine Engines in Port)
  • Engine Emissions (Non-road and Auxiliary Equipment)
  • National Clean Diesel Campaign (exit TERC)
    • Engine Emissions (Nonroad and Auxiliary Equipment)
    Applies to:

    The standards apply directly to engine and equipment manufacturers, rather than owners and operators. In some cases, owners may be required to register their equipment, and to keep records available for inspection.
    Requires:

    The standards limit the allowable level of emissions from a wide variety of non-vehicle engines sold in the United States. Some types of engines, such as forklift trucks and transport refrigeration units, are used widely in the transportation sector.
    See also:
  • Clean Air Act
  • Greenhouse Gas Emissions
  • Engine Emissions (Truck, Idling)
  • Engine Emissions (Truck, Tailpipe)
  • National Clean Diesel Campaign (exit TERC)
    • Engine Emissions (On-board Diagnostics)
    Back to Top
    Applies to: Manufacturers or importers of new heavy-duty vehicles or engines intended for highway use; also applies to anyone who converts heavy-duty vehicles or engines used in highway vehicles to run on alternative fuels
    Requires:

    Manufacturers must install systems that monitor the functioning of the vehicle or engine emission control system, and that alerts the operator if corrective action is needed
    See also:
  • Engine Emissions (Truck, Idling)
  • Engine Emissions (Truck, Tailpipe)
  • National Clean Diesel Campaign (exit TERC)
  • SmartWay Program (exit TERC)
    		•
    Engine Emissions (Truck, Tailpipe)
    Back to Top
    Applies to: Emissions standards for new vehicles apply to manufacturers and importers. In many locations, inspection and maintenance regulations, and some operating restrictions, apply to vehicle owners and operators.
    Requires:

    New vehicles must emit levels of several hazardous pollutants below specified thresholds tested over standard driving cycles. Existing vehicles registered or operating in specified locations must be inspected periodically. Some states have instituted roadside monitoring programs to detect and test for smoke opacity. Idling restrictions apply in some locations.
    See also:
  • Alternative Fuels
  • Biodiesel
  • Clean Air Act
  • Diesel Fuel Requirements (Truck)
  • Engine Emissions (Truck, Idling)
  • Greenhouse Gas Emissions
  • National Clean Diesel Campaign (exit TERC)
  • SmartWay Program (exit TERC)
    		•
    Engine Tampering
    Applies to: Anyone who is rebuilding or modifying a heavy-duty highway diesel engine from model year 2004 or later
    Requires:

    The rebuilt engine must continue to meet the same emissions standards as those that applied to the engine when new, and the owner must maintain records of work performed and other specified information for at least two years.
    See also:
  • Clean Air Act
  • Engine Emissions (Truck, Idling)
  • Engine Emissions (Truck, Tailpipe)
  • Fuel Efficiency
  • Greenhouse Gas Emissions
  • National Clean Diesel Campaign (exit TERC)
  • SmartWay Program (exit TERC)
    		•
    Freight Density - Impact and Cost
    Applies to: Allocating carbon dioxide emissions and fuel costs of transportation based on density
    Requires:

    Not currently a regulatory requirement. This allocation method is mathematically required for consistent impact calculation and reporting.
    See also:
  • Freight density, carbon footprint, and fuel cost (PDF)
  • TERC Bulk Buster - Cost and emissions calculator for cargo, by density (spreadsheet)
    • Greenhouse Gas Comparisons
    Back to Top
    Applies to: Any vehicle
    Requires: Calculators based on emission factors provide a useful but limited way to compare the greenhouse gas emissions of transportation modes
    See also:
  • Best Speed for Fuel Economy
  • Greenhouse Gas Emissions
    		•
    Greenhouse Gas Emissions
    Back to Top
    Applies to: Applies directly to vehicle and engine manufacturers. Applies indirectly to the transportation sector by affecting the cost and performance of vehicles.
    Requires: Rule requires manufacturers to certify that new Class 7 and 8 combination tractors, and many heavy-duty special purpose vehicles, meet fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions standards.
    See also:
  • Clean Air Act
  • Engine Emissions (Truck, Idling)
  • Engine Emissions (Truck, Tailpipe)
  • Fuel Efficiency
  • SmartWay Program (exit TERC)
    		•
    LNG Tank Venting
    Back to Top
    Applies to: All liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel tanks
    Requires: Both fuel level and internal tank temperature must be known to calculate how long an LNG tank can avoid venting fuel to the atmosphere.
    See also:
  • Alternative Fuels
  • Greenhouse Gas Emissions
    		•
    National Clean Diesel Program (EXIT TERC)
    Back to Top
    Applies to:

    EPA's National Clean Diesel Campaign (NCDC) promotes clean air strategies by working with manufacturers, fleet operators, air quality professionals, environmental and community organizations, and state and local officials to reduce diesel emissions
    Requires: Recent diesel rulemakings have focused on light- and heavy-duty highway vehicles, nonroad diesel equipment, locomotive and marine engines, and large ocean-going vessels
    See also:
  • SmartWay Program (exit TERC)
    		•
    Painting Operations - Vehicle Repainting
    Back to Top
    Applies to: Most facilities that carry out spray painting operations
    Requires: Most spray painting operations require air emissions permits from state or federal agencies
    See also:
  • Cleaning, Parts Cleaners (Water-based)
  • Cleaning, Solvent
  • Hazardous Waste 
    		•
    SmartWay Program (exit TERC)
    Back to Top
    Applies to:

    Shippers, truck and rail transporters, logistics companies, truck stop operators, and others
    Requires:

    SmartWay is a voluntary program that provides resources to help achieve fuel efficiency improvements and emissions reduction, and identifies products and services that reduce transportation-related emissions
    See also:
  • Engine Emissions (Truck, Tailpipe)
  • Greenhouse Gas Emissions
  • National Clean Diesel Campaign (exit TERC)
    		•
    Zero Emission Vehicles
    Back to Top
    Applies to:

    Proposed rule applies to manufacturers, sellers, and importers of light and heavy duty vehicles.
    Requires:

    Emission rates of greenhouse gases per work performed, averaged over a seller’s entire fleet of vehicles sold, must fall within set limits for each type of vehicle. Limits have been proposed for model years 2027 through 2032, becoming stricter each year as low and zero emission vehicles become more widely available and affordable.
    See also:
  • Greenhouse Gas Emissions
  • Alternative Fuels
  • Engine Emissions (Truck, Tailpipe)
    		•

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