New legislation issued by the US Environmental Protection Agency are set to encourage manufacturers of garden and marine equipment to make greater use of catalytic converters.

Under the new rules covering small engines, nitrogen oxide emissions from speed boats, lawn mowers and other equipment are to be slashed significantly from 2010 in an effort to improve public health and cut back on energy usage.

According to the EPA's estimates, by introducing more efficient engines, manufacturers will be required to pay some $236 million a year to implement the standards, though consumers would benefit from saving 190 million gallons of gasoline annually.

A statement released by EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson read: "EPA's new small engine standards will allow Americans to cut air pollution as well as grass. These standards help fight smog in our neighbourhoods and waterways as we continue to improve the environmental landscape."

The move comes as the EPA reacts to claims that it has taken insufficient measures to cut back on pollutants over the course of the Bush administration.



Source:

EPA Tightens Standards For Non-Vehicle Exhaust Emissions (04/09/08)

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