EPA MAY TIGHTEN POLLUTION LIMITS FOR TRAINS, SHIPS.

Byline: Kerry Cavanaugh Staff Writer

Sparking optimism among Southern California clean-air advocates, the federal government signaled Tuesday it may order cuts in smog-forming pollutants and fine soot in diesel exhaust from trains and ships starting in 2011.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said it would consider setting tough new pollution limits for diesel engines in locomotives, tugboats, ferries and boats. The rules could be adopted in mid-2006.

``We have been calling on the EPA to adopt a tougher emission standard on locomotives and ships. On principle it seems like the right move,'' said Sam Atwood, spokesman for the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

Eager for pollution cuts sooner rather than later, Atwood said the district would have to see proposal details before cheering the EPA move.

Trains emit an estimated 36 tons per day of smog-forming emissions in the South Coast region, which includes Orange County and the non-desert portions of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

Ships emit an estimated 47 tons per day of smog-forming emissions or more than 1 million cars' worth of smog.

The AQMD has pushed the EPA to adopt stronger controls on trains and ships.

State Sen. Martha Escutia, D-Norwalk, introduced legislation to require railroads to cut pollution or pay a pollution fee. Her office praised the EPA for finally acknowledging the serious pollution from trains but said she is not pulling the bill.

``We are going forward with the legislation because we need clean air standards now. We can't wait another 16 years, which is what the federal government is proposing,'' said Suzanne Wierbinski, Escutia's chief of staff.

Railroads have opposed Escutia's bill but said Tuesday they support the EPA proposal, knowing all diesel-engine users will have to upgrade to cleaner equipment and the EPA will likely give five years to prepare for the new standards.

``There's a lot of barriers, but we want cleaner equipment,'' said Mark Stehly, assistant vice president of environmental research and development at The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway.

The announcement came as the EPA finalized rules to cut by 90 percent the smog-forming emissions and fine soot in construction equipment.

Refiners must cut the amount of sulfur in diesel from 3,400 to 15 parts per million in 2010. Then engine manufacturers must devise cleaner engines, starting in 2008 for small equipment through 2014 for larger equipment.

Metrolink, which operates commuter trains throughout metropolitan Los Angeles, voluntary began using the 15 ppm low-sulfur fuel in 2003.

Kerry Cavanaugh, [phone]

kerry.cavanaugh(at)dailynews.com