New Bylaw will Improve Air Quality and Public Health
A bylaw approved by the Board on Feb. 25 will save lives by cutting back on emissions of diesel soot from industrial and construction machines like excavators and forklifts.
 Media Release

Reducing diesel emissions is the most important step we can take to improve air quality and public health in Metro Vancouver and is an effective means of immediately restraining climate change. Emissions of diesel particulate matter are responsible for 67% of the lifetime cancer risk from air pollution in Metro Vancouver.

Non-road diesel machines are one of the primary contributors to emissions of diesel particulate matter in Metro Vancouver and are often emitted close to where people live, work and play – resulting in higher exposures and increased health risks.

The Non-Road Diesel Engine Emission Regulation Bylaw No. 1137, 2011 is available here:

 Greater Vancouver Regional District Non-Road Diesel Engine Emission Regulation Bylaw No. 1137, 2011.

The Regulation includes the following requirements:

• Beginning in 2012, there will be general operating requirements limiting the opacity of emissions (the degree to which light is blocked by emissions) and the amount of idling.
• Beginning in 2012, an owner or operator of a “Tier 0” non-road diesel engine must register, label and pay a fee prior to operation of the engine (Tier 0 are older engines that meet no emission standards).
• Beginning in 2014, an owner or operator of a “Tier 1” non-road diesel engine must register, label and pay a fee prior to operation of the engine (Tier 1 engines only meet the earliest emission standards for non-road engines).
• The period of registration can vary from daily to monthly to annual.
• Owners or operators of Tier 0 and Tier 1 engines may reduce or eliminate fees by reducing their emissions.
• If emissions are substantially reduced by retrofitting, rebuilding, replacing or retiring an engine such that “Tier 2” emission standards are achieved (Tier 2 engines are newer, cleaner engines), then an owner or operator would be eligible for a refund of 80% of fees paid over the previous three years.

The Regulation does not apply to non-road diesel engines that power the following sources:

• Engines operating outside of Metro Vancouver.
• Engines less than 25 hp (19 kW).
• Machines used in agricultural operations.
• Personal recreation machines, including personal snow mobiles and all-terrain vehicles.
• Emergency generators or other stationary machines intended to be operated only in cases of emergency.

Additional resources are being developed to assist industry with the interpretation and application of the Regulation. These resources will be made available through this web page.

How do I determine an engines Tier?
An engines Tier will be determined by its maximum engine power or machine type and engine age, as detailed in Schedule 1 of the Regulation.

 Schedule 1 Engine Tier Classifications

CONSULTATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE BYLAW/EMISSION REGULATION
Metro Vancouver began consulting with industry, government and the general public about the proposed private sector Non-Road Diesel Engine Initiative in February 2009 and completed consultations in February 2011. The consultation program included presenting the proposed initiative and soliciting public input through discussion papers, focus groups, public workshops, small group meetings, a Work Group, and ongoing correspondence with industry representatives and government agencies.

Work Groups
Metro Vancouver convened two Work Groups with representatives from affected industries and from the public sector to further advise staff on the proposed emission regulation. A series of Work Group meetings were held between April and September 2010 to discuss details of the Initiative and collect input.

For more information, please contact regulationenforcement@metrovancouver.org or :