[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 205 (Wednesday, October 23, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 63015-63017]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-24712]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Parts 34 and 45

[Docket No.: FAA-2012-1333; Amendment No. 34-5A]
RIN 2120-AK15


Exhaust Emissions Standards for New Aircraft Gas Turbine Engines 
and Identification Plate for Aircraft Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; technical amendment.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is making technical changes to a final rule published 
in the Federal Register on December 31, 2012. That final rule amended 
the emission standards for certain turbine engine powered airplanes to 
incorporate the standards promulgated by the United States 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on June 18, 2012. The final rule 
contained six minor technical errors: One in the authority citation, 
and five

[[Page 63016]]

in tables listing the emissions standards for engines manufactured on 
and after July 18, 2012. In addition, we are correcting an error in a 
definition that existed before the final rule and was overlooked. The 
FAA is issuing this technical amendment to correct these errors.

DATES: This amendment is effective October 23, 2013.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For technical questions concerning 
this action, contact Aimee Fisher, Emissions Division (AEE-300), Office 
of Environment and Energy, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone (202) 267-
7705; email [email protected].
    For legal questions concerning this action contact Karen Petronis, 
International Law, Legislation and Regulations Division (AGC-200), 
Office of the Chief Counsel, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone (202) 267-
3073, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Section 231(a)(2)(A) of the Clean Air Act (CAA) (42 U.S.C. 7571) 
directs the Administrator of the EPA to propose aircraft emission 
standards applicable to the emission of any air pollutant from classes 
of aircraft engines which, in the EPA Administrator's judgment, causes 
or contributes to air pollution that may reasonably be anticipated to 
endanger public health or welfare. These emission standards have been 
promulgated by the EPA in 40 CFR part 87.
    Section 232 of the CAA (42 U.S.C. 7572) then directs the FAA to 
prescribe regulations to ensure compliance with the EPA's standards. 
The FAA has promulgated these emission standards in 14 CFR part 34, and 
in the engine marking requirements in part 45.
    The EPA initially regulated gaseous exhaust emissions, smoke and 
fuel venting from aircraft in 1973, with occasional revision. Since the 
EPA's adoption of the initial regulations, the FAA has taken subsequent 
action to ensure that the regulations in 14 CFR are kept current with 
the EPA's standards.
    On July 27, 2011, the EPA proposed new aircraft engine emission 
standards for oxides of nitrogen (NOX), compliance 
flexibilities, and other regulatory requirements for aircraft turbofan 
or turbojet engines with rated thrusts greater than 26.7 kilonewtons 
(kN) (76 FR 45012). The EPA also proposed adopting the gas turbine 
engine test procedures of the International Civil Aviation Organization 
(ICAO). The final rule adopting these proposals was published on June 
18, 2012 (77 FR 36342), and was effective July 18, 2012.
    On December 31, 2012, the FAA published a final rule with a request 
for comments (77 FR 76842) adopting the EPA's new emissions standards 
in part 34. Although the EPA's NPRM presented an opportunity to comment 
on the proposed regulations and the EPA addressed them in its final 
rule, the FAA sought public comment on its final rule.
    The FAA received three comments on the final rule. Concurrent with 
the publication of this technical amendment, the FAA is publishing a 
disposition of comments to address the comments received. No changes 
are being made to the final rule based on those comments, and the 
comments did not affect the corrections adopted here.

Discussion of Technical Amendments

1. Authority Citation

    In the amendatory language of the final rule, we inadvertently 
changed the authority citation for section 34 by replacing the 
semicolon after ``42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq., 7572'' with the letter ``1.'' 
No change to the authority citation was intended. We are correcting 
this error and returning the authority citation to what was in place 
prior to the final rule.

2. Sec.  34.1--Definitions

    In the definition of ``Standard day conditions,'' the value for 
``specific humidity'' is incorrectly listed as ``0.00 kg 
H2O/kg dry air.'' The correct value is ``0.00634 kg 
H2O/kg dry air.'' This error has existed in Sec.  34.1 for 
some time, and the FAA is unable to determine when this error was 
introduced. In contrast, the EPA's rule correctly defines the term.
    The FAA can find no evidence that the existence of this error has 
caused any significant adverse impact on engine manufacturers. These 
manufacturers have been using the EPA's definition to establish 
compliance with the exhaust emission requirements. However, any 
inconsistency between the regulations of the EPA and the FAA could 
cause confusion. The FAA intended to correct this error in the final 
rule, but inadvertently left this change out.
    Since this correction is not expected to impose any additional 
burden on the manufacturers subject to these regulations, the FAA is 
adopting this change in this document.

3. Sec.  34.23--Exhaust Emission Standards for Engines Manufactured On 
and After July 18, 2012

    In Sec.  34.23, there are two tables that were published with 
errors that create inconsistencies with similar tables in the EPA's 
rule. In the NPRM, the FAA stated its intent to adopt the standards 
promulgated by the EPA. The FAA is correcting these errors.
    A table in Sec.  34.23(a)(2) entitled ``Tier 6 Oxides of Nitrogen 
Emission Standards for Subsonic Engines'' was published with two errors 
in the column labeled ``Rated output rO (kN).'' The FAA is correcting 
these errors as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Current language                        Correction
------------------------------------------------------------------------
26.7 < rO < 89.0.....................  26.7 < rO <= 89.0.
rO > 89.0............................  No change.
26.7 < rO <= 89.0....................  No change.
rO > 89.0............................  No change.
All..................................  rO >= 26.7.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In Sec.  34.23(b)(1), the table entitled ``Tier 8 Oxides of 
Nitrogen Emission Standards for Subsonic Engines'' was published with 
three errors in the column labeled ``Rated output rO (kN).'' The FAA is 
correcting these errors as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Current language                        Correction
------------------------------------------------------------------------
26.7 < rO < 89.0.....................  26.7 < rO <= 89.0.
rO > 89.0............................  No change.
26.7 < rO < 89.0.....................  26.7 < rO <= 89.0.
rO > 89.0............................  No change.
All..................................  rO >= 26.7.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 34

    Air pollution control, Aircraft.

The Amendments

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation 
Administration amends Chapter I of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations 
as follows:

PART 34--FUEL VENTING AND EXHAUST EMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR TURBINE 
ENGINE POWERED AIRPLANES

0
1. The authority citation for part 34 is revised to read as follows:

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq., 7572; 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 
40113, 44701-44702, 44704, 44714.

Subpart A--General Provisions

0
2. Amend Sec.  34.1 by revising the definition for ``Standard day 
conditions'' to read as follows:


Sec.  34.1  Definitions.

* * * * *

[[Page 63017]]

    Standard day conditions means the following ambient conditions: 
temperature = 15 [deg]C, specific humidity = 0.00634 kg H2O/
kg dry air, and pressure = 101.325 kPa.
* * * * *

Subpart C--Exhaust Emissions (New Aircraft Gas Turbine Engines)

0
3. Amend Sec.  34.23 by revising paragraphs (a)(2) and (b)(1) to read 
as follows:


Sec.  34.23  Exhaust Emission Standards for Engines Manufactured on and 
after July 18, 2012.

* * * * *
    (a) * * *
    (2) Except as provided in Sec. Sec.  34.9(b) and 34.21(c), for 
Classes TF, T3 and T8 engines manufactured on and after July 18, 2012, 
and for which the first individual production model was manufactured on 
or before December 31, 2013 (Tier 6):

                        Tier 6 Oxides of Nitrogen Emission Standards for Subsonic Engines
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Rated pressure ratio--
               Class                           rPR            Rated output rO (kN)            NOX (g/kN)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF, T3, T8.........................  rPR <= 30.............  26.7 < rO <= 89.0.....  38.5486 + 1.6823 (rPR) -
                                                                                      0.2453 (rO) - (0.00308
                                                                                      (rPR) (rO)).
                                                            ----------------------------------------------------
                                                             rO > 89.0.............  16.72 + 1.4080 (rPR).
                                    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     30 < rPR < 82.6.......  26.7 < rO <= 89.0.....  46.1600 + 1.4286 (rPR) -
                                                                                      0.5303 (rO) + (0.00642
                                                                                      (rPR) (rO)).
                                    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             rO > 89.0.............  -1.04 + 2.0 (rPR).
                                                            ----------------------------------------------------
                                     rPR >= 82.6...........  rO > 26.7.............  32 + 1.6 (rPR).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (1) For Classes TF, T3 and T8 engines of a type or model of which 
the first individual production model was manufactured after December 
31, 2013 (Tier 8):

                        Tier 8 Oxides of Nitrogen Emission Standards for Subsonic Engines
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Rated pressure ratio--
               Class                           rPR            Rated output rO  (kN)          NOX  (g/kN)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF, T3, T8.........................  rPR <= 30.............  26.7 < rO <= 89.0.....  40.052 + 1.5681 (rPR) -
                                                                                      0.3615 (rO) - (0.0018
                                                                                      (rPR) (rO)).
                                                            ----------------------------------------------------
                                                             rO > 89.0.............  7.88 + 1.4080 (rPR).
                                    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     30 < rPR < 104.7......  26.7 < rO <= 89.0.....  41.9435 + 1.505 (rPR) -
                                                                                      0.5823 (rO) + (0.005562
                                                                                      (rPR) (rO)).
                                                            ----------------------------------------------------
                                                             rO > 89.0.............  -9.88 + 2.0 (rPR).
                                    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     rPR >= 104.7..........  rO >= 26.7............  32 + 1.6 (rPR).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

    Issued under authority of 49 U.S.C. 106 and section 232 of the 
Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7571) in Washington, DC, on October 1, 
2013.
Lirio Liu,
Director, Office of Rulemaking.
[FR Doc. 2013-24712 Filed 10-22-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P