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Non-Road Diesel Engines Regulatory Initiative
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Non-Road Diesel

Non-Road Diesel Engine Initiative 

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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.

 

What's included in the Non-Road Diesel Engine Emission Regulation
The Non-Road Diesel Engine Emission Regulation (the Regulation) promotes the reduction of diesel emissions from industrial and construction machines such as excavators, backhoes, forklifts, loaders, switch locomotives and stationary equipment. The regulation applies to all private and public sector non-road diesel machines operating in Metro Vancouver, that are 25 hp (19 kW) or greater

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

Diesel Emission Reduction Program

The Non-Road Diesel Engine Emission Regulation is one component of Metro Vancouver’s Diesel Emission Reduction Program approved by the Metro Vancouver Board of Directors in February 2009. The Program also includes collaborative initiatives with industry and senior government to reduce diesel emissions from marine vessels, railway locomotives and on-road vehicles.


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.

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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.

Private Sector Work Group Meetings
Public Sector Work Group Meetings

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

Darrell Wakelin
Regulation and Enforcement Division
Non-Road Diesel Project Lead
Metro Vancouver
darrell.wakelin@metrovancouver.org
Ray Robb
Regulation and Enforcement Division Manager
Metro Vancouver
ray.robb@metrovancouver.org

Resources

To find out why reducing diesel particulate matter emissions is important and to learn about the steps Metro Vancouver is taking, watch the “Diesel Emissions” video below or on YouTube.

Videos - required Flash Player

 
Diesel Emissions

 
Hybrid Excavator

Background material on diesel engine emissions, health risks and air quality goals in Metro Vancouver:

Fast Facts