Epa May Set Standards On Small Gas Engines

You may want to coax your aging lawn mower through one more summer. Or maybe you can hold off buying that leaf blower until fall 1996. Why? This year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) may set standards on small spark-ignition (gasoline) engines commonly found on lawn and garden equipment.

That’s good news. Standards that reduce the amount of pollutants these engines emit will also improve durability, performance and fuel economy. This means motors built to the new standards will use less fuel and need fewer repairs. Even if the purchase price goes up a few dollars, you’ll save money over time.

Why has the EPA focused on these smaller engines? There are 89 million small gasoline-powered engines in this country. They power a variety of lawn and garden equipment - everything from lawn mowers to chain saws. And they do contribute to air pollution. Here is a partial list of consumer equipment effected by the proposed standards:

Riding and walk-behind lawn mowers; string trimmers; leaf blowers and leaf vacuums; snow blowers; chipper/shredders; lawn and/or garden tractors; augers; chain saws; wood splitters; and generators.

Even if a product is not listed, its motor may be subject to the proposed standards. Commercial equipment would not be exempt from the proposed standards.

If EPA adopts the proposed standards, they will take effect August 1996 and apply to all new spark-ignition engines manufactured for the U.S. market. Note that the proposed standards pertain to various engines - not the whole piece of equipment. This allows manufacturers to produce a basic certified engine that could power various pieces of equipment.

The proposed standards were written in close cooperation with small engine manufacturers. In fact, some manufacturers have moved ahead of EPA. They are building their engines to comply with California’s requirements, which exceed those proposed by EPA.

All existing pieces of equipment that use small spark-ignition engines will still be legal and repairs can be made on them. Most of these engines will be replaced within five years as equipment wears out or owners purchase newer models.

When you do use gasoline-powered equipment, take care when fueling. Use leakless nozzles to avoid spills, which add significantly to air pollution. The EPA estimates 17 million gallons of gasoline are spilled each year during refueling. By using certified engines and proper fueling techniques, we can do our share to improve air quality and use energy efficiently.

MEMO: Send your questions to Washington State Energy Office Education and Information Network, 1212 N. Washington, Room 106, Spokane, WA 99201-2401; or call 324-7980 or (800) 962-9731, weekdays.

The following fields overflowed: BYLINE = Amy Mickelson Washington State Energy Office John Watson assisted with the writing of this column