proposed epa snowmobile emission standards need work

Proposed snowmobile engine emissions standards being considered by the Environmental Protection Agency need to be clearer, more straightforward and better attuned to conditions affecting manufacturers, consumers and businesses related to winter recreation.

In EPA hearings Ed Klim, head of the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association (ISMA), said that each of ISMA's four member companies has either introduced or is developing low-emission engines. The new engine designs incorporate either four stroke or direct fuel injection technologies that meet or beat a proposed 30 percent reduction in hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions by the 2006 model year.

Klim cautioned that "…the current proposal language for 2006 is far more complicated in engineering details than a straightforward, single-tier 30 percent reduction in corporate average emissions that would be clearer for manufacturers and for the EPA to enforce administratively."

He also noted, "The EPA proposes a second-tier standard for reducing the 2006 levels by an additional 20 percent by 2010. This additional provision unfairly singles out snowmobiles, which have a miniscule effect on U.S. air quality."

According to Klim although snowmobile engines are one of the last categories to remain largely unregulated, that hasn't kept manufacturers from producing advanced low-emission engine technology.

"Every snowmobile manufacturer has been working to establish a reasonable emission rule with the EPA since 1994, when the manufacturers first hired Southwest Research Institute to help the industry and the EPA develop correct emissions data on snowmobiles," he said.

He feels that if adopted in its present form, the proposed standards would mean that snowmobile manufacturers would be forced to reconfigure virtually all engine designs for all categories of snowmobiles, from entry level to touring and high performance models.

He explains that the EPA proposal results in an across-the-board requirement that even applies to engine models that are made in small volumes.

"That would force the industry to divert needed development funds but produce little improvement in corporate average emissions," Klim pointed out.

Snowmobiles produced prior to the effective dates of the new standards would not be affected and would remain legal to own and operate. The EPA typically allows several years of lead-time between publication of a final rule and the effective date of a new standard. Snowmobile manufacturers would be responsible for ensuring the new products are in compliance once the standards take effect.

"Our industry," states the ISMA chief, "has very proactively pursued cleaner fuel-burning engine technologies that meet ever-increasing environmental standards without sacrificing the fun and performance of snowmobiles.

"Considerable investments continue to be made to accelerate the evolution of engine design. As these new models are phased into production, it is important to establish standards and realistic implementation timetables that keep snowmobiles affordable to American customers. Snowmobiling generates winter tourism income vital to hundreds of rural communities and employment throughout the snowbelt.

"Similar concerns have been addressed in rulemaking for other industries. The same approach should be applied to our industry as well."

International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association members include Arctic Cat, Inc., Bombardier Inc., Polaris Industries and Yamaha Motor Corporation.