EPA Blocks California Limits Harley Emission & EPA Laws Discuss EPA Blocks California Limits in the Harley Tech & Harley How-to forums; Article in todays newspaper with some interesting updates. Sub headline is "Bush Administration Says State Can't Exceed U.S. Emissions Rules" In brief, it says the Bush administration blocked California's plan ...

[Buzz Kanter]

Article in todays newspaper with some interesting updates.

Sub headline is "Bush Administration Says State Can't Exceed U.S. Emissions Rules"

In brief, it says the Bush administration blocked California's plan to put tighter limits on automobile tailpipe emissions.

EPA administrator Stephen Johnson blocked California from going even further than the feds in cutting tailpipe emissions that contribute to global warming.

This pits the EPA against California and 17 other states that want to set their own tougher rules aimed at cutting fossil-fule burning by vehicles. These states are currently: California, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon. Pennsylvania, Rhode ISland, Vermont and Washington.

Other ststes reportidly considering a similar move include: Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Minnesota and Utah.

[Whopper]

Hard to believe some common sense actually resides within the beltway Allowing states to have different regs than the entire country just adds unnecessary expense.

[94flhtcu]

Well put, Whopper...I never understood how CA. dictated to the rest of the nation how things would go. Hopefully, it'll be something george does for us, and not to us. That'd be a nice change. Living too close to ground zero, I completely agree with the common sense statement. Enjoy!

[BlueBob]

What does that mean for Harley's California bikes with cats on 'em?

[Buzz Kanter]

Originally Posted by BlueBob

What does that mean for Harley's California bikes with cats on 'em?

Good question. Makes you wonder.....

[flyinfinn]

Originally Posted by Buzz Kanter

Article in todays newspaper with some interesting updates.

Sub headline is "Bush Administration Says State Can't Exceed U.S. Emissions Rules"

In brief, it says the Bush administration blocked California's plan to put tighter limits on automobile tailpipe emissions.

EPA administrator Stephen Johnson blocked California from going even further than the feds in cutting tailpipe emissions that contribute to global warming.

This pits the EPA against California and 17 other states that want to set their own tougher rules aimed at cutting fossil-fule burning by vehicles. These states are currently: California, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon. Pennsylvania, Rhode ISland, Vermont and Washington.

Other ststes reportidly considering a similar move include: Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Minnesota and Utah.

California's emissions plan regulates combined emissions of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide (HC) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx). For engines displacing 280 cc or more, the 2004 standard was 1.4 grams per kilometer (g/km), which decreases to 0.8 g/km for major manufacturers in 2008. Manufacturers selling 300 or fewer units per year would only have to meet the 1.4 g/km standard by 2008.

The spat between the EPA and CARB is probably pretty moot at this point, since by 2006, (according to the 2006 Review of the 1998 Amendments to the California On-road Motorycycle Regulations) all the major manufacturers had met and surpassed the 1.4 g/km standard, and all the European brands surpassed the 2008 standard, as well. Lowest emissions were achieved by BMW (0.44 g/km), followed by Triumph (0.53 g/km), and Ducati (0.75 g/km). Honda led the Asian manufacturers at 0.79 g/km. Suzuki (0.83 g/km), Kawasaki (0.84 g/km) and Yamaha (0.86 g/km) met the 2004 standard, but would have work to do to meet the 2008 standards, as would Buell (0.87 g/km), Harley-Davidson (1.07 g/km) and Victory (1.05 g/km).

So, the technology exists for manufacturers to readily meet the emissions standards, even in California without even altering the character of the various products. So, just as EFI and digital electronic ignition systems have nudged carburetors, points and condensers into the dustbin for automobiles and ushered in greater reliability with lower emissions, so, too will the changes coming to motorcycles.

The only sad fact about it is that elected politicians had to force the issue, instead of the engineering departments of OEM and aftermarket product manufacturers.

[shovelmike]

Originally Posted by Buzz Kanter

Article in todays newspaper with some interesting updates.

Sub headline is "Bush Administration Says State Can't Exceed U.S. Emissions Rules"

In brief, it says the Bush administration blocked California's plan to put tighter limits on automobile tailpipe emissions.

EPA administrator Stephen Johnson blocked California from going even further than the feds in cutting tailpipe emissions that contribute to global warming.

This pits the EPA against California and 17 other states that want to set their own tougher rules aimed at cutting fossil-fule burning by vehicles. These states are currently: California, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon. Pennsylvania, Rhode ISland, Vermont and Washington.

Other ststes reportidly considering a similar move include: Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Minnesota and Utah.

A hint of common sense in D. C. .....who would'a thought.

[Wrightturn]

Anybody have a pre 1978 they want to sell ?

[texan321]

This is about car emissions - I wonder what is going to happen to motorcycles - the two seem to be treated as different issues.

[shovelmike]

Sorry, Wrightturn. I'm keeping my old 73 Shovel. No emissions equipment, no turn signals, no electric starter......simplicity.