EPA Tightens Lawn Mower Emission Rules Sep 8, 2008

Printable format  Email this Article  Search

Lawn mowers will be required to cut emissions by 35% under new rules from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

"These standards help fight smog in our neighborhoods and waterways as we continue to improve the environmental landscape," said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson.

The rules go into effect in 2011 for lawn and garden equipment with horsepower of 25 or less, such as lawn mowers and weed wackers.

The EPA estimates annual emission reductions of 600,000 tons of hydrocarbons, 130,000 tons of nitrogen oxide and 1.5 million tons of carbon monoxide once the rules are fully implemented. Consumers will save 190 million gallons of gasoline each year, it predicts.

The agency also predicts that manufacturers will turn to catalytic converters to meet the new standards.

Back to Daily News