ILLINOIS POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD
September 26,
1991
IN THE MATTER OF:
)
DIESEL VEHICLE EXHAUST
)
P90-20
OPACITY LIMITS
)
(Rulemaking)
ORDER OF THE BOARD
(by J.D.
Durnelle):
Pursuant
to
Section
27(a)
of
the
Illinois
Environmental
Protection Act
(“Act”)
the
Board
finds
that
an
economic
impact
study
(“EcIS”)
is unnecessary in P90-20.
In its filing of August
13,
1991,
the Department of Energy and Natural Resources
(“DENR”)
states that
“a
substantial
record
regarding most facets
of
the
issue was generated”.
In
stating that an EcIS was unnecessary,
DENR had only the benefit of our inquiry hearings.
Since that
time, the Board has held another hearing and one more is scheduled
for October
3,
1991 in Springfield.
The three hearings held thus
far have
provided
a
wealth
of
information
with
regard
to
the
technical feasibility and economic reasonableness of the proposed
rule.
For example,
the Engine Manufacturing Association as well
as Navistar1 have stated that a 55
opacity standard would comport
with
the
federal
engine
design
requirements
for
which
pre-1991
engines were built.
In other words,
if
a 55
opacity standard were
adopted
for all pre-1991
engines,
then
there
should
be
no cost
(other than normal maintenance) to the regulated community in order
to be
in compliance.
On September
19,
1991,
the City
of Chicago
filed
a
public
comment requesting an EcIS.
In the alternative, the City requests
that additional information pertaining to economic information be
put into the record.
The City submits that economic data
is not
available from other states contemplating similar legislation, the
costs of the proposed testing
is unknown and that the record does
not presently
show whether businesses
may move
out
of
Illinois
and/or bypass our state as a result of diesel regulation.
The
record
indicates
costs
in such states
as Maryland and
substantial
information
is
available
regarding
the
California
program.
At the same time,
the record is replete with assertions
by some western suburbs that they would attempt to enforce the rule
via local ordinance.
The City’s final concern is more directed to
the
merits
of
the
regulatory
program
and
will
hopefully
be
addressed at hearing.
In conclusion, we find that the record thus far indicates that
1During the course of the proceedings, other entities such as
Caterpillar, the CTA and the Robert Bosch Company have testified
that the 55
opacity standard is readily achievable.
126—387
2
there
are
no substantial
costs
to
industry associated with
the
rule.
In the event that evidence comes to light which contravenes
this belief,
the Board can, pursuant to Section 27(a)
of the Act,
order that an EcIS be performed any time prior to the closing
of
the record.
Accordingly, we find that an EcIS is not necessary in
this rulemaking.
IT
IS SO ORDERED.
I,
Dorothy N.
Gunn,
Clerk of the Illinois Pollution Control
Board, hereby certify that the above Order was adopted on the
~
day of
~
1991 by a vote of
__________
(7
~
~.
Dorothy N. ~inn, Clerk
Illinois Pollution Control Board
126—388