[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 115 (Monday, June 16, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32602-32604]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-15730]


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

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-5842-5]


Retrofit/Rebuild Requirements for 1993 and Earlier Model Year 
Urban Buses; Public Review of a Notification of Intent To Certify 
Equipment and Public Review of a Request To Amend a Current 
Certification

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice of agency receipt of a notification of intent to certify 
equipment and initiation of comment period. Notice of Agency receipt of 
a request to amend a current certification.

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

SUMMARY: The Agency has received a notification of intent to certify 
urban bus retrofit/rebuild equipment for 4-stroke petroleum fueled 
diesel engines pursuant to 40 CFR Part 85, Subpart O from Engine 
Control Systems Ltd. (ECS). Pursuant to Sec. 85.1407(a)(7), today's 
Federal Register notice summarizes the notification below, announces 
that the notification is available for public review and comment, and 
initiates a 45-day period during which comments can be submitted. The 
Agency will review this notification of intent to certify, as well as 
comments received, to determine whether the equipment should be 
certified.
    This action is also notifying the public that ECS proposes to amend 
its current two-stroke engine certification. On January 6, 1997 (62 FR 
746) EPA approved certification of the ECS retrofit kit which 
demonstrated a 25% reduction in PM for 1979 to 1993 DDC 2-stroke 
engines. On February 11, 1997, ECS requested that this certification be 
modified to also include 8V71N engines for model years 1973 to 1984.
    Today's notice initiates a 45-day period during which the Agency 
will accept written comments relevant to whether or not the equipment 
included in this notification of intent to certify for 4-stroke engines 
should be certified and whether the Agency should approve the ECS 
request to amend the previously approved 2-stroke application to 
include the 8V71N model. Comments relevant to the 4-stroke notification 
should be provided in writing to Public Docket A-93-42, Category XVI-A, 
at the address below. Comments relevant to the 2-stroke amendment 
should be provided in writing to Public Docket A-93-42, Category XIV-A, 
at the address below. An identical copy of each comment should be 
submitted to Anthony Erb, also at the address below.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before July 31, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit separate copies of comments to the two following 
addresses:
    1. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Public Docket A-93-42 
(Category XIV-A or XVI-A), Room M-1500, 401 M Street SW., Washington, 
DC 20460.
    2. Anthony Erb, Engine Compliance and Programs Group, Engine 
Programs & Compliance Division (6403J), 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anthony Erb, Engine Programs & 
Compliance Division (6403J), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 401 
M Street SW., Washington, DC 20460. Telephone: (202) 233-9259.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    On April 21, 1993, the Agency published final Retrofit/Rebuild 
Requirements for 1993 and Earlier Year Urban Buses (58 FR 21359). The 
retrofit/rebuild program is intended to reduce the ambient levels of 
particulate matter (PM) in urban areas and is limited to 1993 and 
earlier year (MY) urban buses operating in metropolitan areas with 1980 
populations of 750,000 or more, whose engines are rebuilt or replaced 
after January 1, 1995. Operators of the affected buses are required to 
choose between two compliance programs: Program 1 sets particulate 
matter emissions requirements for each urban bus engine in an 
operator's fleet which is rebuilt or replaced; Program 2 is a fleet 
averaging program that establishes specific annual target levels for 
average PM emissions from urban buses in an operator's fleet.
    Certification of retrofit/rebuild equipment is a key element of the 
retrofit/rebuild program. To show compliance under either of the 
compliance programs, operators of the affected buses must use equipment 
that has been certified by the Agency. Emissions requirements under 
either of the two compliance programs depend on the availability of 
certified retrofit/rebuild equipment for each engine. To be used for 
Program 1, equipment must be certified as achieving at least a 25 
percent reduction in PM. Equipment used for Program 2 must be certified 
as providing some level of PM reduction that would in turn be claimed 
by urban bus operators when calculating their average fleet PM levels 
attained under the program. For Program 1, information on life cycle 
costs must be submitted in the notification of intent to certify in 
order for certification of the equipment to initiate (or trigger) 
program requirements. To trigger program requirements, the certifier 
must guarantee that the equipment will be available to all affected 
operators for a life cycle cost of $7,940 or less at the 0.10 g/bhp-hr 
PM level, or for a life cycle cost of $2,000 or less for the 25 percent 
or greater reduction in PM. Both of these values are based on 1992 
dollars.
    The equipment for which certification is pending for the 4-stroke 
engine is a catalytic converter muffler which will take the place of 
the standard muffler in the exhaust system. ECS has requested that this 
equipment notification be considered for certification for use under 
Program 2 only. Equipment certified for Program 2 must provide some 
level of PM reduction that can in turn be claimed by urban bus 
operators when calculating their average fleet PM levels attained under 
the program. Certification of this equipment will not trigger or comply 
with any requirements under Program 1.
    With regard to the request from ECS to amend the existing 
certification for 2-stroke engines, ECS is requesting that the 
certification be amended to include 8V71N model engines originally 
produced in model years 1973 through 1984. On August 8,1996 (61 FR 
41409), EPA published a notice that it had received a notification of 
intent to certify equipment providing a 25% reduction in PM for 
specific DDC model engines. The equipment for which certification was 
requested was an oxidation converter muffler which was

[[Page 32603]]

a direct replacement for the existing muffler. The equipment was stated 
to provide a 25% reduction in PM on the models listed. On January 6, 
1997 (62 FR 746) EPA approved the certification of this equipment to 
provide a 25% reduction in PM for operators utilizing Program 1 or 
Program 2 for specified models. On February 11, 1997, ECS requested 
that the certification be amended to include the DDC 8V71N engines.

II. Notification of Intent To Certify

    By a notification of intent to certify signed October 30, 1996, ECS 
has applied for certification of equipment applicable to all Cummins L-
10 engines and all other 4-stroke engines that were originally 
manufactured prior to and including 1993. The equipment being certified 
is a converter muffler (CM) containing an oxidation catalyst. The CM is 
stated to be a direct replacement for the standard muffler installed on 
the engine exhaust system. The ECS specified PM certification levels 
are provided in Table B.
    The notification of intent to certify states that the candidate 
equipment will reduce PM emissions by 18 percent or more, on any 1985 
to 1993 4-stroke petroleum-fueled diesel engines which either: (a) Have 
not been rebuilt and are not in need of a rebuild; or (b) have been 
rebuilt to its original configuration; or, (c) have been rebuilt with 
the rebuild kit manufactured by the Cummins Engine Company and 
certified under the urban bus retrofit program (60 FR 64046, December 
13, 1995).
    This equipment cannot be used in compliance with Program 1 because 
the emission data does not demonstrate at least a 25% reduction in PM. 
If certified, the use of this equipment by urban bus operators will be 
allowed for operators who have chosen to comply using Program 2 only.
    The CM is stated to be maintenance free. The engine fuel to be used 
with this equipment is standard diesel fuel with a maximum sulfur 
content of 0.05 wt.% sulfur.
    ECS presents exhaust emission data from testing performed on a 1987 
Cummins LTA10B 240 horsepower urban bus engine. The engine was rebuilt 
to its original configuration and run for 125 hours prior to testing. 
Testing was performed at the Southwest Research Institute in San 
Antonio, Texas. Two tests were conducted. The first test was performed 
on the rebuilt engine without the CM, and a second test was performed 
on the same engine after retrofit with the CM. The test data show a PM 
level of 0.404 g/bhp-hr for the base rebuilt engine without the CM and 
a PM level of 0.327 g/bhp-hr with the CM installed (a 19% PM 
reduction). The test data also show that hydrocarbon (HC), carbon 
monoxide (CO), and oxides of nitrogen (NOX) are less than 
applicable standards. Fuel consumption with the candidate equipment 
installed was 0.403 lb/BHP-hr compared to 0.397 lb/bhp-hr for the 
baseline test. The exhaust restriction during the baseline test was 
2.36 inches of Hg compared to 2.47 inches of Hg for the test after 
retrofit with the CM. ECS presents smoke emission measurements for the 
engine demonstrating compliance with applicable standards.
    ECS contends that these tests are appropriate to allow for 
certification on engines in category (c) mentioned above, that have 
been rebuilt using the certified Cummins rebuild kit, as the tests use 
``worst case'' engines, as compared to the engines rebuilt with the 
Cummins kit. ECS also contends that these tests are appropriate to 
allow for certification on engines under category (a). The engines 
under category (a) above will not have been rebuilt and are not in need 
of a rebuild at the time the candidate equipment is installed. As such, 
these engines are presumed to emit PM at the level of the original 
engine configuration. Therefore, these engines are in essence the same 
as the tested engine, which was rebuilt to the original engine 
configuration. ECS plans to review the oil consumption for each engine 
as a primary means of determining which engines will be acceptable 
under this category. Engines which exceed a specified limit will not be 
allowed to undergo retrofit without rebuild. Test results are provided 
in Table A.

                                       Table A.--Exhaust Emissions Summary                                      
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        g/bhp-hr                                
                                      --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  1987 Cummins LTA10B      1987 Cummins LTA10B  
                                            1988 Standards              baseline          with converter muffler
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gaseous and Particulate Test:                                                                                   
    HC...............................  1.3....................  0.378..................  0.010                  
    CO...............................  15.5...................  3.374..................  2.391                  
    NOX..............................  10.7...................  5.869..................  5.719                  
    PM...............................  0.60...................  0.404..................  0.327                  
    BSFC \1\.........................  .......................  0.397..................  0.403                  
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Smoke Test:                                   Standards                                                         
(1) Percent Opacity                                                                                             
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACCEL................................  20 (percent)...........   9.7 (percent).........  12.2 (percent)         
LUG..................................  15 (percent)...........   1.2 (percent).........   1.5 (percent)         
PEAK.................................  50 (percent)...........  21.1 (percent).........  27.3 (percent)         
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Brake Specific Fuel Consumption (BSFC) is measured in units of lb/bhp-hr.                                   

    If the Agency certifies the candidate ECS equipment, operators who 
choose to comply with Program 2 who install this equipment, will use 
the PM emission level(s) established during the certification review 
process in their calculations of target or fleet level as specified in 
the regulations. Table B provides the PM levels proposed by ECS for 
this equipment.

[[Page 32604]]



                                        Table B.--ECS Retrofit/Rebuild Certification Levels For Cummins Engines 1                                       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                                             Retrofit PM
                                                   Control                                                          New Engine  Retrofit PM   level with
                 Engine family                    parts list                   Manufacture dates                     PM level    level with      CM &   
                                                    (CPL)                                                                            CM      Cummins kit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
343B...........................................          780  11/20/85 to 12/31/87...............................         0.58         0.48         0.28
343B...........................................         0781  11/20/85 to 12/31/87...............................         0.59         0.48         0.28
343C...........................................         0774  11/20/85 to 12/31/89...............................         0.46         0.38         0.28
343C...........................................         0777  11/20/85 to 12/31/89...............................         0.61         0.50         0.28
343C...........................................         0996  12/04/87 to 08/19/88...............................         0.61         0.50         0.28
343C...........................................         1226  07/26/88 to 12/31/90...............................         0.50         0.41         0.28
343F...........................................         1226  07/12/90 to 08/26/92...............................         0.45         0.37         0.28
343F...........................................         1441  12/18/90 to 12/31/92...............................         0.46         0.38         0.28
343F...........................................         1622  04/24/92 to 12/31/92...............................         0.46         0.38         0.28
343F...........................................         1624  04/24/92 to 12/31/92...............................         0.45         0.37         0.28
Other 4-stroke engines.........................               1985 to 1993.......................................  ...........         18 %         N/A 
                                                                                                                                  reduction             
                                                                                                                                       from             
                                                                                                                                original PM             
                                                                                                                                     levels             
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The New Engine PM certification levels are based on the certification level or the average test audit result for each engine family. It is noted    
  that for engine family 343F, although the PM standard for 1991 and 1992 was 0.25 g/bhp-hr and the NOx standard was 5.0 g/bhp-hr, Cummins certified the
  1226, 1441, 1622, and 1624 CPLs to a Federal Emission Limit (FEL) of 0.49 g/bhp-hr PM and 5.6 g/bhp-hr NOx under the averaging, banking and trading   
  program.                                                                                                                                              

III. Request To Amend Previous Certification

    With regard to amending the 2-stroke certification, in the original 
notification, ECS performed testing on a 1987 DDC 6VN71 model engine. 
This test engine would qualify as a worst case engine when compared to 
the 8V71N engine and, as such, the results from testing this engine 
could be extrapolated to the 8V71N models is in question. All other 
factors involved in the certification including warranties, 
instructions, costs and maintenance remain the same. ECS states that it 
believes that the catalyst utilized in the earlier certification will 
adequately reduce PM from the 8V71N engines by at least 25%. ECS has 
cited the fact that the displacement of the 8V71N engine family is very 
similar to the 6V92 for which the equipment is already certified. ECS 
also states that the 8V71N engine being naturally aspirated will 
operate with characteristically hotter exhaust temperatures than a 
6V92TA which should enhance PM reduction. ECS has requested to amend 
its certification to include the levels provided in Table C.

   Table C.--ECS Retrofit/Rebuild Certification Levels for 8V71N Model  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           PM           
                                               Model     level    Code/ 
               Engine model                    years      with    Family
                                                          OCM           
------------------------------------------------------------------------
8V71N.....................................   1973-1984     0.38     All.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    It is noted that the ECS proposal to amend the previous 
certification will not trigger any new requirements for operators 
because equipment providing a 25% PM reduction has already been 
certified for the above model and years. The PM level in the triggering 
certification is identical to the PM level specified above.
    At a minimum, EPA expects to evaluate the notification of intent to 
certify for the 4-stroke engines, and the request to amend the 
certification for the 2-stroke engines and other materials submitted as 
applicable, to determine whether there is adequate demonstration of 
compliance with: (1) The certification requirements of Sec. 85.1406, 
including whether the testing accurately proves the claimed emission 
reduction or emission levels; and, (2) the requirements of Sec. 85.1407 
for a notification of intent to certify. With regard to the amendment 
to the 2-stroke certification, comments should be directed to the 
addition of the 8V71N engine only as this notification is not meant to 
re-open the comment period for the original notice of intention to 
certify (NIC).
    The Agency requests that those commenting also consider these 
regulatory requirements, plus provide comments on any experience or 
knowledge concerning: (a) problems with installing, maintaining, and/or 
using the candidate equipment on applicable engines; and, (b) whether 
the equipment is compatible with affected vehicles.
    The date of this notice initiates a 45-day period during which the 
Agency will accept written comments relevant to whether or not the 
equipment described in the ECS notification of intent to certify for 4-
stroke engine should be certified pursuant to the urban bus retrofit/
rebuild regulations, and on the issue of the request to amend the prior 
2-stroke engine certification. Interested parties are encouraged to 
review the notification of intent to certify and provide comment during 
the 45-day period. Please send separate copies of your comments to each 
of the above two addresses.
    The Agency will review this notification of intent to certify and 
the request to revise the previous certification, along with comments 
received from interested parties, and attempt to resolve or clarify 
issues as necessary. During the review process, the Agency may add 
additional documents to the docket as a result of the review process. 
These documents will also be available for public review and comment 
within the 45-day period.

    Dated: June 10, 1997.
Mary D. Nichols,
Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation.
[FR Doc. 97-15730 Filed 6-13-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P