EPA has announced new standards aimed at reducing locomotive and marine diesel engine emissions by up to 90 percent as soon as this year.

According to EPA, when fully implemented, these new standards will reduce soot or particulate matter (PM) by 90 percent, or 27,000 tons, and reduce nitrogen oxides emissions (NOx) by 80 percent or nearly 800,000 tons. Nationwide this regulation will help prevent 1,400 premature deaths and 120,000 lost workdays annually in 2030. The estimated annual health benefits are valued between $8.4 billion and $12 billion. When these older locomotive and marine engines reach the end of their useful life, and new engines enter into the nation's diesel fleet, the benefits of this action will increase.

The rule cuts emissions from all types of diesel locomotives, including line-haul, switch, and passenger rail, as well as from a wide range of marine sources, including ferries, tugboats, Great Lake freighters, and all types of marine auxiliary engines.

This rule requires remanufacturing standards for marine engines, reductions in engine idling, and the use of after-treatment technology that will further reduce diesel emissions. Phasing in tighter long-term standards for PM and NOx will begin in 2014 for marine diesel engines and in 2015 for locomotive engines. Advanced after-treatment technology will apply to both types of engines. The effective dates for NOx will be 2 years earlier from last year's proposal.