20 JULY 2017 • FOGHORN FOGHORNFOCUS: ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES diesel-fueled engines. The goal of the plan is to reduce diesel PM emissions and the associated health risk by 75 percent in 2010 and 85 percent by 2020. To reach this objective, CARB is aggressively pushing vessel operators in California to upgrade engines to the EPA’s highest tiers for significant emission reduc- tions. No Changes Regarding Reducing Engine Emissions The bottom line is that PVA anticipates no changes to federal regulations already on the books for passenger vessel operators to have their vessels powered by low-emission engines. According to the EPA’s timeline, new engines must meet Tier 3 or Tier 4 (requirements vary with power and displacement) now with the phase-in period going through 2019. As you plan for capital investments regarding new engines, keep in mind these requirements. Grants may be available to offset the cost of a repower. If you have questions, you are urged to contact your engine manufacturer to be sure you are in com- pliance with emission requirements. n What Are Emissions? Emissions are gases and particles released into the air as byproducts of a natural or man-made process. One of these processes is the burning of fuels to create energy. Exhaust gas occurs as a result of the combustion of fuels such as natural gas, gasoline/petrol, diesel, fuel oil, or coal. Parts of exhaust gases (emissions) are non-regulated: nitrogen (N2), water vapor (H2O), and carbon dioxide (CO2), a portion of it is regulated, such as carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), nitrogen oxides (NOx), partly unburnt fuel, and particulate matter (PM). Source: Caterpillar (PVA Green WATERS Conference, 2014) For More Information Contact your Engine Manufacturer for specifics about engine emission requirements for your vessel and operation. Grant information can be found at www.grants.gov.