U.S. EPA Finalizing First-Ever Airplane Emissions Rules

Aviation Fuel (Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)), Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Agency, Federal Aviation Administration, Federal Regulation, Opinions, Transportation

December 29, 2020

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by David Shepardson (Reuters) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Monday said it was finalizing the first-ever proposed standards regulating greenhouse gas emissions from airplanes.

The EPA said its new requirements for airplanes used in commercial aviation and for large business jets would align the United States with international standards.

In 2016, the U.N. International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) agreed on global airplane emissions standards aimed at makers of small and large planes, including Airbus SE and Boeing Co, which both have backed the standards.

The final rule “is vital for protecting the environment and supporting the sustainable growth of commercial aviation and the United States economy,” Boeing said on Monday in a statement.

Critics say the agency should have required tougher emissions rules.

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The EPA said it expects “airplanes that are non-compliant will either be modified and re-certificated as compliant, will likely go out of production before the production compliance date of January 1, 2028, or will seek exemptions.”

As a result “EPA is not projecting emission reductions associated with these GHG (greenhouse gas) regulations.” It also does not project the rule “will cause manufacturers to make technical improvements to their airplanes that would not have occurred” otherwise.

In October, a group of 11 states led by California and the District of Columbia urged the EPA to strengthen the first-ever standards.

The 11 states and the District of Columbia said the EPA proposal would “lag existing technology by more than 10 years and would result in no GHG reductions at all compared to business-as-usual.”

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The Federal Aviation Administration said Monday it expects to publish a proposed rule next year incorporating the EPA’s emissions standard, including testing requirements and exemption procedures it will apply when certifying new airplanes. READ MORE

EPA Admits America’s First-Ever Airplane Emissions Rules Won’t Actually Reduce Pollution (The Drive)

EPA finalizes greenhouse gas regs for airlines (The Hill)

Trump’s EPA Finalizes Do-Nothing Emission Standards for Airplanes (Sierra Club)

EPA finalizes first-ever airplane greenhouse gas regulations (E&E News)

Trump EPA Fails Americans & Humanity With New Airplane Standards (Clean Technica)

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