HOUSE BILL REPORT

EHB 1950

BYRepresentatives Valle, Ferguson, Phillips and Sprenkle

Investigating diesel-powered vehicle emission issues.

House Committe on Environmental Affairs

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (12)

      Signed by Representatives Rust, Chair; Valle, Vice Chair; D. Sommers, Ranking Republican Member; Brekke, G. Fisher, Fraser, Phillips, Pruitt, Schoon, Sprenkle, Van Luven and Walker.

House Staff:Karl Herzog (786-7271)

AS PASSED HOUSE JANUARY 22, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Diesel-powered vehicles emit a number of air pollutants that contribute to overall degradation of air quality and present risks to public health.  Compared to gasoline-powered vehicles, diesel vehicles emit less carbon monoxide and more fine particulates.  Diesel particulate emissions are of concern because they reduce atmospheric visibility and may increase the risk of cancer in humans.

Diesel engines are used primarily in large trucks and other heavy duty vehicles.  In 1987, 83 percent of all trucks over 14,000 pounds gross vehicle weight manufactured in the United States utilized diesel engines.  In contrast, less than 1 percent of all passenger cars manufactured in the United States in 1987 utilized diesel engines.

In 1985, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) adopted new vehicle diesel emission standards regulating hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, and particulate emissions. Standards for hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxide diesel emissions match or exceed emission standards for gasoline-powered vehicles.  EPA diesel particulate standards will become increasingly restrictive over the next five years.  By 1994, heavy-duty diesel engines will be required to achieve an approximate 90 percent reduction in particulate emissions compared to current emission levels.

Diesel vehicles are exempt from the Washington State motor vehicle emission inspection and maintenance program, however, diesel vehicles must conform to exhaust opacity standards under chapter 46.37.390 RCW.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Ecology is directed to:  (1) investigate emissions from diesel-powered vehicles with respect to health effects and contribution to air quality degradation; (2) evaluate possible programs for identifying excessive emissions from diesel-powered vehicles and requiring corrective action by vehicle owners; (3) determine the costs and cost-effectiveness of implementing such programs; and (4) report to the legislature concerning these issues by January 1, 1991.

Fiscal Note:      Available

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    John Raymond, Department of Ecology, Division of Air Programs.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The public is very concerned about diesel vehicle emissions. Diesel particulate emissions carry toxic elements that may be deposited in human lung tissue.  There are approximately 64,000 diesel trucks registered in the state.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.