EPA Says Airline Emissions A Threat To Human Health

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Small piston aircraft were exempted from today’s “endangerment finding” issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, but the finding means new regulations will be forthcoming to target greenhouse-gas emissions from many jet engines, the agency said. “Aircraft are the third largest contributor to GHG emissions in the U.S. transportation sector, and these emissions are expected to increase in the future,” said Janet McCabe, EPA’s acting assistant administrator for air and radiation. “EPA has already set effective GHG standards for cars and trucks, and any future aircraft engine standards will also provide important climate and public health benefits.” GHG emissions contribute to climate change, which threatens Americans’ health and their environment, the EPA said.

U.S. aircraft emit roughly 12 percent of GHG emissions from the country’s transportation sector and 29 percent of GHG emissions from all aircraft globally, the EPA said. Under the Clean Air Act, EPA will consult with the FAA as it develops aircraft engine emissions standards. By law, any new standards EPA sets must not cause a significant increase in noise or adversely affect safety. The EPA cited carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride in jet emissions as gases in need of regulation.

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