CARB PROPOSES PLAN TO ESTABLISH NEW EXHAUST EMISSIONS REGULATIONS FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE (OVER 500 HP) INBOARD/STERNDRIVE ENGINES
Following the CARB (California Air Resources Board) public workshop meeting of March 18, 2008, plans have been set in motion to establish new exhaust emissions regulations on high performance over 500 horsepower) marine gasoline inboard/sterndrive engines to become effective as of January 1, 2009 in California. Please be aware that the proposed standards (presented in summarized form) outlined below are not final until the CARB Board meets and votes upon the entire set of regulations on July 24, 2008.
1. CARB staff recommends that the current standard of 5.0 g/kW-hr NMHC+NOx for marine inboard engines under 500 HP be relaxed and amended for engines in excess of 500 HP. The new proposed standards are:\
-- engines 500 to 650 HP...........16.0 HC+NOx
-- engines 650 Hp and above...25.0 HC+NOx (2009 & 2010)
-- engines 650 Hp and above...22.0 HC+NOx (2011 and later)
2. In addition, there will also be a new standard for carbon monoxide emission. All engines over 500 HP will have a maximum carbon monoxide level of 350 grams per kilowatt hour.
3. Because of the recommended relaxed emissions standard on engines over 500 horsepower, new boats equipped with high performance engines beginning January 1, 2009 must be equipped with a passive-purge carbon canister type of evaporative fuel system. Delphi, who makes a similar product for use in the automotive industry, is currently in development of marine canisters.
4. Catalytic converters will not be required equipment on high performance engines over 500 HP.
5. Some type of engine emissions certification will be required of high performance marine engine builders in order to legally sell engines in California after January 1, 2009.
6. The CARB proposed new regulations have been drafted to harmonize with pending EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) federal standards which may become effective for all 50 states as early as January 1, 2010.
More information available at:
www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/offroad/sore/sore.htm} 
