EPA Proposes to Reduce Air Toxics from Stationary Diesel and Gas-Fired Engines

(Washington, D.C. – Feb. 27, 2009) For the first time, EPA is proposing to set emission limits for formaldehyde, benzene, acrolein and other air toxics from certain stationary diesel and gas-fired engines. In 2008, over 1 million of these engines generated electricity, powered equipment and operated during emergencies at industrial, agricultural and other facilities. The proposed limits would apply to engines located at smaller sources of air toxics.

For major sources of air toxics, this rule would only apply to engines that are:

· Smaller than or equal to 500 horsepower that were constructed or reconstructed before June 12, 2006, or
· Larger than or equal to 500 horsepower that were constructed or reconstructed before December 19, 2002.

To meet the proposed emissions requirements, owners and operators of these engines would need to install “after treatment” controls, such as filters or catalysts, to engine exhaust systems.

EPA estimates that this rule would reduce air toxics emissions by 13,000 tons per year, particle pollution by 2,600 tons and carbon monoxide emissions by 510,000 tons, when fully implemented in 2013.

The public comment period will be open for 60 days upon publication in the Federal Register.

More information: http://www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/t3fs.html .

EPA Increases Transparency of Regulatory Development

EPA is making federal environmental regulation more transparent by providing on-line information as soon as the agency begins the development of a new rule.

Starting today, EPA is using Action Initiation Lists (AILs) to notify the public about new rules and other regulatory actions. AILs will be posted on the EPA Web site at roughly the end of each month; each will describe those actions that were approved for commencement during the given month. Formerly, the public had to wait for EPA's Semiannual Regulatory Agenda, which is updated only every six months, to learn about new regulatory actions.

The AILs provide summaries, agency contacts, and other information about the rules EPA has approved for development. For example, the March 2008 AIL announces the agency's plans to issue an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking for greenhouse gases in late spring. This notice will solicit public input as EPA considers the specific effects of climate change and potential regulation of greenhouse gas emissions from stationary and mobile sources under the Clean Air Act. The March AIL also announces the agency's plans to propose a rulemaking that builds on EPA's existing renewable fuels standard program. The expansion of the program was mandated by the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act.

The February and March 2008 AILs are now available. EPA expects to release the April AIL around April 30.

See the Source:

EPA - Action Initiation Lists

EPA - Semiannual Regulatory Agendas

Biodiesel Generators Bringing Green Power to Hollywood

Green Power Generators™, a new company specializing in custom built biodiesel fueled generators are offering a new line of generators designed to dramatically reduce carbon dioxide emissions in both small and large-scale events and productions. GPG unveiled its new generators to the press and entertainment industry in Hollywood on July 19th.

GPG has chosen to highlight the break-through designs first for members of the entertainment industry, but the generators will be of equal interest for any business that involves high energy consumption.

“We’re very excited to be able to provide the entertainment industry with the only truly eco-friendly energy outsourcing option available today,” explained Tomer DeVito, co-founder of GPG and a television commercial and music video producer. “Generators are the biggest polluters on sets, at concerts and events, and we wanted to change that. We hope to pioneer a change in the way we do things in Hollywood, and beyond.”

Adds Alton Butler, co-founder of GPG and president of Line 204 Studios, GPG’s parent company: “This is a real breakthrough in a business world that is growing increasingly concerned about the environment. The industry standard tier-2 diesel engines are not qualified to burn biodiesel. The available industry standard diesel-engine generators can burn only up to 5% bio-diesel (B5) – if you burn a higher percentage you risk losing your warranty. Currently productions don’t have an option for burning cleaner fuels. GPGs are specially designed to burn the cleanest biodiesel fuels possible”.

In its annual report card issued in November 2006, the UCLA Institute of the Environment put the film industry number two behind the Aerospace industry on the list of industry pollution offenders in California.

“We are proud to support GPG’s efforts to help reduce the entertainment industry’s carbon footprint,” said Debbie Levin, president of the Environmental Media Association. “Very few options exist for producers who want to reduce the emissions on their sets. GPG presents a formidable option that should be a no-brainer not only for Hollywood but for any industry that out sources power.”

See the Source:
Green Power Generators

Find out:
How to reduce emissions even further from emergency and prime power generators using biodiesel by retrofitting with the PERMIT Filter/Silencer from CleanAIR Systems. Although biodiesel certainly reduces emissions by about 50% over regular diesel, a filter/silencer can make a generator even cleaner as well as reduce noise.

diesel emissions
diesel generator

CleanAIR Systems, Inc. Launches The HiBACK USB™

Santa Fe, NM – January 29, 2007 – Introduced in January, the new HiBACK USB™ from CleanAIR Systems is a microprocessor-based data logger and alarm system coupled with real-time monitoring software. Used in conjunction with CleanAIR’s emissions control technology, the HiBACK USB™ records and monitors exhaust backpressure and temperature on diesel engines, such as mining equipment, stationary generators, and construction vehicles.

Offered with optional software, the new HiBACK USB™ can track the duty cycle of an engine along with analysis of engine parameters, providing useful information on performance and warning the operator of possible problems with the system. When the HiBACK USB™ is installed and used in combination with the CleanAIR PERMIT™ diesel particulate filter, it allows the filter to function at optimal level by warning of possible plugging or increasing engine backpressure before the situation becomes excessive.

By streamlining the task of capturing and downloading data, plus utilizing Windows-based, user-friendly software to download statistics directly to an Excel spread sheet, the HiBACK USB™ makes data logging easier. “Our customers look to us for customized emissions control technology,” explains Tom Mosley, CleanAIR’s Customer Service Representative. “The new HiBACK USB helps them monitor the performance of our filters while using software that’s easy-to-understand. This means better emissions control and better customer satisfaction.”

The unit also includes self-diagnostic features for troubleshooting temperature and back pressure sensing problems. Available in two levels, the optional software offers a variety of features depending on user needs. For more information on the HiBACK USB™, visit the products section of the CleanAIR website at http://www.cleanairsys.com/ or call 800-355-5513.

Find out:
More about the new HiBACK USB.

The CleanAIR PERMIT™ Filter Verified for Prime Power Generators

Santa Fe, NM – November 20, 2006 – CleanAIR Systems, Inc. has received verification for prime power generators by the California Air Resources Board (ARB) for their PERMIT™ diesel particulate filter as a Level 3 diesel emission control device. According to an Executive Order dated November 6th, ARB verifies that the PERMIT™ Filter reduces emissions of diesel particulate matter by 85 percent or greater for use in stationary prime generators with particulate matter (PM) levels of up to 0.2 g/bhp-hr.

Prime power stationary generators are designated as power sources operating as a principal source of power and are usually in continuous operation for long periods of time. These include generators used in remote areas as a primary power source, as well as those used for self-generation by corporations, schools or hospitals producing their own power.

The ARB also extended verification of CleanAIR Systems’ PERMIT™ filter until 2009 for use on stationary emergency generators to include all applications tested or certified to particulate matter (PM) levels of up to 0.2 g/bhp-hr. Emergency generators operate usually less than one hundred hours per year and are used as supplemental or back-up power generation in case of power loss.

For complete verification information on the PERMIT™ diesel particulate filter and engine operating criteria, the Executive Orders and Attachments can be found on the ARB website at: http://www.arb.ca.gov/diesel/verdev/vt/stationary.htm.

Established in 1993, CleanAIR Systems, Inc. located in Santa Fe, NM, is a technology-based corporation manufacturing emissions control systems with worldwide distribution. Their products are designed to control air pollution for on- and off-road vehicles, as well as stationary machinery and power generation. For contact information, visit www.cleanairsys.com.