EPA Takes Next Step in Regulating Aircraft Emissions

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today moved forward on its effort to regulate aircraft greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, formally issuing findings that emissions from certain types of aircraft contribute to air pollution that endangers public health and welfare.

These findings were proposed a year ago alongside an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking considering the regulation of aircraft GHG emissions. The EPA indicated the possibility of a "subsequent domestic rulemaking process to adopt standards that are of at least equivalent stringency as the anticipated [International Civil Aviation Organization] CO2 standards.” In October, the ICAO Assembly is expected to consider a global standard, with formal adoption to come in March.

In releasing the findings, the EPA noted that “aircraft remain the single largest GHG-emitting transportation source not yet subject to GHG standards in the U.S.” and that U.S. aircraft emit 12 percent of GHG emissions from the transportation sector in the U.S., 3 percent of total U.S. GHG emissions and 0.5 percent of total global GHG emissions. As proposed, the finding applies to jets weighing more than 12,500 pounds and turboprops weighing more than 19,000 pounds.

The final endangerment findings “do not prejudge what future EPA standards will be for engines used in covered aircraft,” the EPA added. “Instead, the EPA’s final findings are in preparation for future rulemaking process to adopt future GHG standards.” The findings trigger a requirement that EPA adopt emission standards, the agency added.