[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 152 (Thursday, August 7, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 42645]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-20824]



  Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 152 / Thursday, August 7, 1997 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 42645]]



ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Parts 90 and 91

[FRL-5871-2]


Control of Air Pollution; Amendments to Emission Requirements 
Applicable to New Nonroad Spark Ignition Engines At or Below 19 
Kilowatts and New Marine Spark Ignition Engines: Provisions for 
Replacement Engines and the Use of Two Stroke Engines on Certain 
Nonhandheld Equipment

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This NPRM proposes to amend the regulations applicable to 
spark-ignition nonroad engines at or below 19 kilowatts (kW) and spark 
ignition marine engines to address issues that have arisen with the 
implementation of regulations applicable to these nonroad engines. No 
significant air quality impact is expected from these amendments.
    This NPRM proposes to allow engine manufacturers to provide 
uncertified engines to replace older engines when major engine failures 
occur and no suitable certified engine is available that will fit in 
the nonroad equipment or marine outboard or personal watercraft. The 
proposed amendments would also allow manufacturers of nonhandheld 
equipment who have historically used two stroke engines to avail 
themselves of an option currently available only to lawnmower 
manufacturers that have historically used two stroke engines. The 
current regulation permits the lawnmower manufacturers to have 
additional time to convert to engines that will meet the more stringent 
nonhandheld standards. The proposed amendment would extend the option 
to other types of nonhandheld equipment, subject to appropriate 
constraints.
    Because the rule revision is not expected to receive any adverse 
comments, the revision is also being issued as a direct final rule in a 
separate part of this Federal Register.

DATES: Public comments on the amendments proposed herein will be 
accepted until September 8, 1997 or 30 days after the date of a public 
hearing if one is held.
    The Agency will hold a public hearing regarding these proposed 
amendments on August 27, 1997 if it receives a request to testify at a 
hearing by August 18, 1997. The Agency will cancel this hearing if no 
one requests to testify. Members of the public should call the contact 
person indicated below to notify EPA of their interest in testifying at 
the hearing. Interested parties may call the contact person after 
August 18, 1997 to determine whether and where the hearing will be 
held.

ADDRESSES: Interested parties may submit written comments (in 
duplicate) for EPA consideration by addressing them as follows: EPA Air 
Docket (LE-131), Attention: Docket Number A-97-25, room M-1500, 401 M 
Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20460. Please contact the individual 
listed below before submitting comments.
    Materials relevant to this rulemaking are contained in the docket 
listed above and may be reviewed at that location from 8:00 am until 
5:30 pm Monday through Friday. As provided in 40 CFR Part 2, a 
reasonable fee may be charged by EPA for photocopying.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Guy, Office of Mobile Sources, 
Engine Programs and Compliance Division (6403J), 401 M Street S.W., 
Washington, D.C. 20460, 202-233-9276.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulated Entities

    Entities potentially regulated by this action are those which 
manufacture and use spark-ignition nonroad engines of 19 kW or less and 
those entities which manufacture and use spark-ignition marine outboard 
or personal watercraft (including jetboat) engines. Regulated 
categories and entities include:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Category                  Examples of regulated entities   
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Industry..........................  Manufacturers and users of spark-   
                                     ignition engines of 19 kW or less. 
                                    Manufacturers and users of marine   
                                     spark-ignition outboard or personal
                                     watercraft engines                 
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This table is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a 
guide for readers regarding entities likely to be regulated by this 
action. This table lists the types of entities that EPA is now aware 
could potentially be regulated by this action. Other types of entities 
not listed in the table could also be regulated. To determine whether 
your product is regulated by this action, you should carefully examine 
the applicability criteria in Secs. 90.1 and 91.1 of title 40 of the 
Code of Federal Regulations. If you have questions regarding the 
applicability of this action to a particular product, consult the 
person listed in the preceding FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.
    If no adverse comments are timely received, no further activity is 
contemplated in relation to this proposed rule and the direct final 
rule in a separate part of this Federal Register will automatically go 
into effect on the date specified in that rule. If adverse comments are 
timely received on the direct final rule, the rule will be withdrawn in 
whole or in part and all public comment received on it will be 
addressed in a subsequent final rule based on this proposed rule. 
Because the Agency will not institute a second comment period on this 
proposed rule, any parties interested in commenting should do so during 
this comment period. For further supplemental information, the detailed 
rationale, and the rule revisions, see the information provided in the 
direct final rule in a separate part of this Federal Register.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Parts 90 and 91

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Confidential 
business information, Imports, Labeling, Nonroad source pollution, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Research, Warranties.

    Dated: July 30, 1997.
Carol M. Browner,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 97-20824 Filed 8-6-97; 8:45 am]
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