EPA Proposing Lawnmower Emission Limits
The Environmental Protection Agency has created a new proposal that would apply to all lawnmowers under 25 horsepower, which are in most walk-behind and riding lawnmowers, as well as small generators and other machines.The new rule could reduce smog-forming emissions from the engines by 35 percent. Currently, walk-behind and riding mowers create up to ten percent of summertime smog-forming emissions.
The rule would be put into place in 2011 for riding lawn mowers and in 2012 for push lawn mowers and would only apply to new engines. Placing catalytic converters in lawn mowers would make the machines more expensive. The California Air Resources Board has speculated that walk-behind lawn mowers will cost 18 percent more under the new regulations.
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