U.S. EPA Publishes Aircraft Emissions Proposal
EPA sets an October 19 deadline for comments on its greenhouse emissions standards for large turbine aircraft.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to require certain large subsonic turbine-powered airplanes to meet prescribed greenhouse emissions standards has been published in the Federal Register, with a comment period ending on October 19.


Emission standards would apply to jet airplanes with an mtow of more than 5,700 kilograms/12,500 pounds for which an application for new type certification is submitted to the FAA on or after Jan. 1, 2020 (Jan. 1, 2023, for new type designs that have an mtow of 60,000 kilograms/132,270 pounds or less and have 19 passenger seats or fewer). The standards would also apply to turboprops having an mtow greater than 8,618 kilograms/19,000 pounds.


In-production standards would apply beginning Jan. 1, 2028. Additionally, modifications made to airplanes that would increase emissions would trigger a requirement to certify to the in-production regulation beginning Jan. 1, 2023.


The proposal directs the FAA to establish regulations to ensure compliance with the EPA’s standards but also prohibits the EPA from changing emission standards if that would significantly increase noise and adversely affect safety.