[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 190 (Monday, October 2, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51472-51475]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-24356]



-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-5306-8]


Retrofit/Rebuild Requirements for 1993 and Earlier Model Year 
Urban Buses; Approval of a Notification of Intent To Certify Equipment

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

 
[[Page 51473]]

ACTION: Notice of agency certification of equipment for the Urban Bus 
Retrofit/Rebuild Program.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Agency received a notification of intent to certify 
equipment signed March 16, 1995, and with cover letter dated April 11, 
1995, from the Detroit Diesel Corporation (DDC) with principal place of 
business at 13400 Outer Drive, West; Detroit, Michigan, 48239, for 
certification of urban bus retrofit/rebuild equipment pursuant to 40 
CFR Sections 85.1401-85.1415. The equipment is applicable to Detroit 
Diesel Corporation's (DDC) petroleum-fueled 6V92TA model engines having 
mechanical unit injectors (MUI) that were originally manufactured 
between January 1979 and December 1989. On June 5, 1995, EPA published 
a notice in the Federal Register that the notification had been 
received and made the notification available for public review and 
comment for a period of 45-days (60 FR 29590). EPA has completed its 
review of this notification, and the comments received, and the 
Director of the Manufacturers Operations Division has determined that 
it meets all the requirements for certification. Accordingly, EPA 
approves the certification of this equipment effective October 2, 1995.
    The certified equipment provides 25 percent or greater reduction in 
exhaust emissions of particulate matter (PM) for the engines for which 
it is certified (see below), and meets the requirements of the urban 
bus retrofit/rebuild program for certification. Therefore, as discussed 
below, this equipment may be used by operators choosing compliance 
program 2 and operators choosing compliance program 1 unless rebuild 
equipment is certified as a trigger of the 0.10 g/bhp-hr standard for 
these engines under the urban bus retrofit/rebuild program.
    The DDC notification, as well as other materials specifically 
relevant to it, are contained in Public Docket A-93-42, category VII, 
entitled ``Certification of Urban Bus Retrofit/Rebuild Equipment''. 
This docket is located in room M-1500, Waterside Mall (Ground Floor), 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street SW, Washington, DC 
20460.
    Docket items may be inspected from 8:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., 
Monday through Friday. As provided in 40 CFR Part 2, a reasonable fee 
may be charged by the Agency for copying docket materials.

DATES: The date of this notice October 2, 1995 is the effective date of 
certification for the equipment described in DDC's notification. This 
certified equipment may be used immediately by urban bus operators.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Rutledge, Technical Support 
Branch, Manufacturers Operations Division (6405J), U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency, 401 M St. SW, Washington, D.C. 20460. Telephone: 
(202) 233-9297.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    By a notification of intent to certify signed March 16, 1995, and 
with cover letter dated April 11, 1995, Detroit Diesel Corporation 
(DDC) applied for certification of equipment applicable to its 6V92TA 
model urban bus engines having mechanical unit injectors (MUI) that 
were originally manufactured between January 1979 and December 1989. 
The equipment to be certified, referred to as an ``upgrade'' kit, is 
basically later model-year components (such as turbocharger, blower, 
fuel injectors, and cylinder kits).
    All parts of the certified equipment are contained in two basic 
types of kits. One of each basic type of kit is required for the 
rebuild of an engine. Twelve combinations of the two basic types of 
kits are certified--the specific combination to be used with a 
particular engine depends upon the direction of engine rotation, 
orientation of the engine block, cam gear mounting technique, and 
engine power level. One basic type of kit includes a gasket kit, air 
inlet hose, cylinder kit, and by-pass valve assembly. The other basic 
type of kit includes fuel injectors, camshafts, blower assembly, 
turbocharger, and cylinder head assemblies.
    As discussed further below, two upgrade configurations based on the 
fuel injector timing height are certified. Either configuration, when 
applied to 1979 through 1987 model year engines, reduces PM by at least 
25 percent. Only one configuration provides a reduction of 25 percent 
on 1988 and 1989 model year engines.
    Using engine dynamometer testing in accordance with the Federal 
Test Procedure for heavy-duty diesel engines, DDC documented 
significant reductions in PM emissions. Baseline exhaust emissions data 
were developed by testing an engine rebuilt to a 1979 urban bus 
configuration. Other testing on the engine was conducted using each of 
the two certified upgrade configurations. Emission test data supplied 
by DDC in its notification are shown below in Table A. In addition to 
demonstrating reductions in PM exhaust emissions, the data indicate 
that applicable engines with the certified equipment installed will 
comply with the federal 1988 model year emission standards for 
hydrocarbon (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), 
and smoke emissions.

                                     Table A.--Emission Test Data (g/bhp-hr)                                    
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                       1988/89  
                                                             Baseline     1979--1987    1988 & 1989    Federal  
                                                            1979 config     upgrade       upgrade     standards 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gaseous and particulate emissions:                                                                              
    HC...................................................         0.52          0.43          0.44          1.3 
    CO...................................................         3.74          1.35          1.33         15.5 
    NOX..................................................         7.43          7.00          9.34         10.7 
    PM...................................................         0.530         0.257         0.232         0.60
Smoke emissions:                                                                                                
    Accel................................................        11.5%          1.1%          1.9%           20%
    Lug..................................................         2.5%          1.8%          3.2%           15%
    Peak.................................................        16.5%          3.8%          3.7%           50%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DDC is certifying this equipment to PM emission levels of 0.30 g/
bhp-hr for the 1979 through 1987 model year upgrade, and 0.23 g/bhp-hr 
for the 1988 and 1989 upgrade. The certification level for the 1979 
through 1987 upgrade represents a 43 percent reduction in PM from the 
1979 baseline configuration. The certification level for the 1988 and 
1989 upgrade represents a 25 percent reduction from the PM level to 
which the 1988 and 1989 model year engine families were certified under 
the new-engine certification program (0.31 g/bhp-hr). The certification 
levels for 

[[Page 51474]]
this equipment in the urban bus program are indicated below in Table B, 
and apply only to the model numbers listed.

  Table B.--Retrofit/Rebuild PM Certification Levels For DDC Equipment  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Certification
        Engine model           Model No.       Upgrade     level (g/bhp-
                                            configuration       hr)     
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                8067-7427       1979-1987        0.30   
6V92TA MUI..................    8067-7428                               
                                8067-4423                               
                                8067-3421     1988 & 1989        0.23   
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Certification of the 1979 through 1987 upgrade configuration is 
limited to 6V92TA MUI engines of model years 1979 through 1987. The 
1988 and 1989 configuration is certified for all model years 1979 
through 1989. Section IV below discusses operator requirements and 
responsibilities, including use of the DDC equipment to meet program 
requirements.

II. Summary and Analysis of Comments

    EPA received comments from three parties on this DDC notification. 
Two of the commenters are transit operators and the third is a 
manufacturer of diesel exhaust catalysts. The comments generally fall 
into the areas of baseline data, emission levels at high altitude, 
cost, durability, and parts covered by warranty. One transit operator 
provided its experience with DDC's upgrade kit. Copies of the original 
comments can be found in the EPA docket referenced in the SUMMARY 
section above.
    One of the transit operators states that thirteen of its engines 
have been rebuilt using DDCs low-emission rebuild kits, and their 
experience has been positive. The engines have gotten better fuel 
economy and emitted less smoke.
    One commenter questions whether 25 percent is demonstrated by DDC 
test results, because the baseline testing that DDC performed does not 
represent the typical emissions from currently rebuilt engines. The 
commenter cites testing it has done to show that current rebuilds are 
less that the baseline that DDC uses.
    Sections 85.1403(b) and 85.1406(a)(2)(v)(B) of the program 
regulations are clear in this regard. The program requirement of 
reducing PM by 25 percent is based on the emission levels of the 
original engine configuration. In testing performed for certification 
under the urban bus program, DDC developed a baseline PM level of 0.530 
g/bhp-hr for the test engine rebuilt to a 1979 model year 
configuration. This PM level is consistent with the ``pre-rebuild PM 
level'' of 0.50 g/bhp-hr for the 1979 through 1987 model year 6V92TA 
engines estimated in the program regulations. While some rebuilds, as 
of yet uncertified under the urban bus program, may result in lower PM 
exhaust levels than the original engine configurations, this is not the 
case for rebuilds which return an engine to an original configuration. 
The urban bus program will make engine configurations having lower PM 
levels a requirement. Certification is available for other rebuild kits 
which meet program requirements.
    It was commented that the Agency should not certify the candidate 
equipment for high altitude regions of the country because no emissions 
data at high altitude have been provided.
    Engine manufacturers, under the Agencys new-engine certification 
program, are required to demonstrate compliance with exhaust emission 
standards only at low altitude, even though the standards apply to 
engines operating in both low-altitude and high-altitude areas of the 
country. In a consistent manner, the urban bus program does not require 
demonstration of compliance with emissions standards at high-altitude. 
Because DDC has demonstrated that use of its retrofit/rebuild equipment 
will reduce PM at low-altitude, the Agency expects that use of the 
certified equipment will also decrease PM emissions at high-altitude, 
although information on the order of magnitude of PM reduction, or 
absolute level of PM emissions, is not available.
    In its comments the catalyst manufacturer requests certification 
for the combination of the candidate rebuild kit and a catalyst 
previously certified for the urban bus program. Review of this matter 
will be handled independently of certification of the DDC equipment, 
and a separate Federal Register notice will announce Agency intentions, 
as necessary.
    Several questions were raised regarding the life cycle cost 
analysis provided by DDC in its notification in order to trigger 
program requirements. The Agency believes that there is no need to 
evaluate the life cycle cost data or to respond to comments at this 
time because the requirement to reduce PM by 25 percent has been 
triggered for applicable engines with the certification on May 31, 
1995, of an exhaust catalyst manufactured by the Engelhard Corporation.
    One commenter questions whether tune-ups and emissions-related 
parts are considered warranty items. The emissions warranties, required 
by program regulations, apply to all parts of the certified equipment 
described in DDC's notification of intent to certify, for the mileage 
intervals specified in Section 85.1409.
    A comment was received that DDC has not demonstrated durability of 
the parts in the candidate upgrade kit. While durability demonstration 
is not specifically required by program regulations, the Agency 
believes that certifiers will want to evaluate the durability of their 
equipment before selling it under this program in order to minimize 
their liability risk. Section 85.1409 of the program regulations 
require that the certifier provide both an emissions defect and an 
emissions performance warranty to urban bus operators. Further, the 
Agency holds the certifier responsible for the emissions performance of 
their equipment and maintains the option of performing in-use testing 
through-out the 150,000 mileage period of that warranty.
    A copy of the comments can be found in EPA Docket A-93-42, category 
VII.

III. Certification Approval

    The Agency has reviewed this notification, along with comments 
received from interested parties, and finds that the equipment 
described in this notification of intent to certify:
    (1) Reduces particulate matter exhaust emissions by at least 25 
percent, without causing the applicable engine families to exceed other 
exhaust emissions standards; 

[[Page 51475]]

    (2) Will not cause an unreasonable risk to the public health, 
welfare or safety;
    (3) Will not result in any additional range of parameter 
adjustability; and,
    (4) Meets other requirements necessary for certification under the 
Retrofit/Rebuild Requirements for 1993 and Earlier Model Year Urban 
Buses (40 CFR Sections 85.1401 through 85.1415).
    The Agency hereby certifies this equipment for use in the urban bus 
retrofit/rebuild program as discussed below in Section IV.

IV. Operator Requirements and Responsibilities

    In a Federal Register notice dated May 31, 1995 (60 FR 28402), the 
Agency certified an exhaust catalyst manufactured by the Engelhard 
Corporation, as a trigger of program requirements. For urban bus 
operators affected by this program and electing to comply with program 
1 requirements, that certification means that rebuilds and replacements 
of model year 1979-1989 6V92TA MUIs (and all other engines for which 
that catalyst is applicable) performed 6 months or more after that date 
of certification, must be performed with equipment certified to reduce 
PM emissions by 25 percent or more. The certified DDC equipment may be 
used immediately by urban bus operators who have chosen to comply with 
either program 1 or program 2, as follows.
    Today's Federal Register notice certifies the above-described DDC 
equipment, when properly applied, as meeting the requirement to reduce 
PM by 25 percent. Urban bus operators who choose to comply with program 
1 may use the certified DDC equipment unless equipment is certified as 
triggering the 0.10 g/bhp-hr standard for the 1979 through 1989 6V92TA 
MUI engines. Either certified upgrade configuration when applied to 
engines of model year 1979 through 1987 meets the program requirement 
to reduce PM by at least 25 percent. The 1979 through 1987 upgrade 
configuration is not certified for 1988 and 1989 model year engines. To 
receive 25 percent reduction using the certified DDC upgrade kit, 
rebuilds of 1988 and 1989 model year engines must be performed using 
the 1988 and 1989 upgrade configuration.
    Operators that have chosen to comply with program 2 may use the 
certified DDC equipment, as discussed in the above paragraph, along 
with the respective PM certification level from Table B when 
calculating their average fleet PM level.
    As stated in the program regulations (40 CFR 85.1401 through 
85.1415), operators should maintain records for each engine in their 
fleet to demonstrate that they are in compliance with the requirements 
beginning in January 1, 1995. These records include purchase records, 
receipts, and part numbers for the parts and components used in the 
rebuilding of urban bus engines.

    Dated: September 25, 1995.
Richard Wilson,
Acting Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation.
[FR Doc. 95-24356 Filed 9-29-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P