[Federal Register: September 3, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 170)]
[Notices]               
[Page 56289]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03se02-50]                         

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[AMS-FRL-7271-7]

 
Air Pollution Control; Motor Vehicle Emission Factors

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of public workshop.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency is now in the process of 
developing revisions and improvements to its mobile source emissions 
models (the MOBILE and NONROAD models) as well as planning a new 
generation of models (the MOVES model). The current version of the 
highway (on-road) model, MOBILE6, was released for use in January 2002. 
Draft extensions of this model (MOBILE6.1 adding particulate emissions 
and MOBILE6.2 adding toxic emissions) were released several months 
later. The extension of the model, MOBILE6.3 adding CO2 emissions, is 
planned for release in the fall of 2002. Revisions are also being made 
to the current draft NONROAD model. Finally, work is progressing on the 
MOVES model, with its first component (a greenhouse gas model) 
scheduled for completion in the fall of 2003. This notice announces a 
public workshop for the purpose of discussing issues raised by these 
present and future models.
    At this three-day workshop, Mobile Source Present and Future 
Models, EPA will devote the entire first day to the NONROAD model, the 
entire second day to the MOVES model, and the entire third day to the 
MOBILE6 model. This will allow individuals to attend only the sessions 
in which they are interested.
    On the first day (November 5), EPA we will cover the NONROAD model. 
While a formal agenda has not been completed, EPA will cover recent 
revisions to the draft NONROAD model, (including geographic 
allocation), data collection by EPA and the states, and nonroad 
categories not included in the model (i.e. aircraft, locomotives, and 
commercial marine). We will also cover our pilot project and hold a 
user forum.
    On the second day (November 6), EPA will cover the MOVES Model. 
Tentative topics include the comprehensive plan for the Model, the 
Greenhouse Gas emission analysis plan and shootout follow up. Other 
topics include the Portable Emission Measurement System (PEMS) and the 
Portable Activity Monitoring System (PAMS) master plan, as well as the 
NATIONAL MOBILE INVENTORY MODEL (NMIM).
    On the third day (November 7), the proposed agenda will cover the 
MOBILE6 Model including the MOBILE6 validation work and related 
sensitivity analysis that has been done. A discussion of the MOBILE6.1, 
MOBILE6.2, and MOBILE6.3 extensions will be held, with plans for the 
next release. We also tentatively plan to have a forum on MOBILE6 
experiences, including questions and answers.

DATES: The workshop will be held Tuesday, November 5 through Thursday, 
November 7, 2002. Sessions are expected to run from 8:30 a.m. to 4 
p.m., Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) each day. Please note that the first 
day of this workshop (November 5) is election day. Therefore, attendees 
may wish to make arrangements to vote via absentee ballots.

ADDRESSES: The workshop will be held at the Sheraton Inn, 3200 
Boardwalk, Ann Arbor, MI 48108. Directions to the workshop can be 
obtained at http://www.sheratonannarbor.com. A block of 50 rooms is 
being held at the Sheraton for attendees of this workshop under Code 
MSMW11 until October 4, 2002. The phone number is (734) 996-0600.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: (734) 214-4636 or send an e-mail to 
mobile@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under Section 130 of the Clean Air Act 
Amendments of 1990, EPA is required to review, and to revise as 
necessary, the emission factors used to estimate emissions of volatile 
organic compounds (VOC), carbon monoxide CO), and oxides of nitrogen 
(NOX) from area and mobile sources. In the case of highway 
vehicles, emission factors for these pollutants are estimated using the 
highway vehicle emission factor model, commonly referred to as MOBILE. 
This model, first developed in the late 1970s, has been revised, 
updated, and improved periodically since that time to account for 
improved data and analyses concerning in-use emissions performance of 
highway vehicles, changes in vehicle and emission control technology, 
changes in fuel composition, strengthening of applicable emission 
standards, refinements to applicable test procedures, and other items 
that affect in-use emission levels.
    Section 130 of the Act requires that this emission factor review, 
and revision as needed, be performed at least every three years. As 
noted above, the current official version of the model, MOBILE6, was 
released January 2002. Since that time, two draft extensions to the 
model have been developed, MOBILE6.1 and MOBILE6.2. While not involving 
revision and update to the entire model, these versions were developed 
to address specific needs on the part of emission factor users. 
MOBILE6.1 added the calculation of particulate matter (PM) to the 
emissions calculated by MOBILE6. MOBILE6.2 added the calculation of 
toxic compounds to the emissions calculated by MOBILE6 or MOBILE6.1.

    Dated: August 27, 2002.
Margo Tsirigotis Oge,
Director, Office of Transportation and Air Quality.
[FR Doc. 02-22366 Filed 8-30-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P