Phase 2 Emission Standards for New Nonroad Spark-Ignition Handheld Engines At or Below 19 Kilowatts and Minor Amendments to Emission Requirements Applicable to Small Spark-Ignition Engines and Marine Spark-Ignition Engines

In this action, we are finalizing a second phase of regulations to control emissions from new nonroad spark-ignition handheld engines at or below 19 kilowatts (25 horsepower). The engines covered by this action are used principally in handheld lawn and garden equipment applications such as trimmers, leaf blowers, and chainsaws. The standards will result in an estimated 70 percent reduction of emissions of hydrocarbons plus oxides of nitrogen from handheld engine emissions under the current Phase 1 standards by year 2010. The standards will be phased in beginning with the 2002 model year. The standards will result in important reductions in emissions which contribute to excessively high ozone levels in many areas of the United States. We have estimated the cost at approximately $20 to $56 for individual units and significantly air quality benefits of 3.6 millions of HC over the life of the program. In March 1999 we adopted Phase 2 regulations for small spark- ignition engines used in nonhandheld equipment. In this action we are including two provisions for Phase 2 nonhandheld engines that would partially modify the scope of the March 1999 final rule. First, we are adopting standards for two additional classes of nonhandheld engines that apply to engines below 100 cubic centimeters displacement used in nonhandheld equipment applications. Second, we are finalizing an option that allows manufacturers to certify engines greater than 19 kilowatts and less than or equal to one liter in displacement to the small engine Phase 2 standards. With this document, we are also amending the provisions of the existing regulations for small spark-ignition nonroad engines at or below 19 kilowatts and marine spark-ignition nonroad engines. (We proposed these amendments in a separate document, and received no comments objecting to the proposal.) For small spark-ignition nonroad engines at or below 19 kilowatts, we are revising the applicability of the rule to certain engines used in recr