New California laws require high-performance engine modifications to reduce emissions

t is fairly well known that on January 2, 2008, new California engine emissions legislation is due to become law with new standards dramatically reducing the exhaust emissions of all boat engines lower than 500HP. 

What is less known is that one year later, on January 2, 2009, California engine emissions legislation will become law that will limit the exhaust emissions of all “high-performance” boat engines of greater than 500HP. The new laws require that all “high-performance” marine engines will have to use catalytic converters in order to meet the emissions levels currently mandated. At this time no such engines exist and the cost of development of the new engines would seriously impact the high-performance boating industry. 

Pending legislation will affect boat owners nationwide

The EPA will mandate similar restrictions for “high-performance” boats in all 50 States in 2013, or sooner. In the next few weeks the EPA will make public the proposed legislation that will spell out the implementation of the new Federal controls. From the date of publication the public and Industry will have 90 days to voice their concerns and make suggested changes to the legislation.
 
Your participation is needed to help collect accurate data

Changes to the legislation are only possible if supported by facts and weighty evidence that the proposed rules would be too burdensome and unsuitable for the high-performance sector of our industry. For this purpose we are asking all high-performance boat owners, with boats using engines of greater than 500HP, to take 60 seconds to complete the boating use survey.

The survey data collected will be used exclusively in communication with the California Air Research Board (ARB) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Our intent is to provide the ARB and EPA accurate operational and engine type data for high-performance boating in the United States.

CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE SURVEY