Characteristics of diesel truck emission in China based on portable emissions measurement systems.

Seventy-five diesel vehicles were measured in China using a portable emissions measurement system (PEMS). Particular matter (PM) emission factors and gaseous emission factors for Euro 0 (E0), Euro 1 (E1), Euro 2 (E2), and Euro 3 (E3) trucks were obtained under highway, urban, and rural driving conditions. Vehicle emission regulations in China have successfully reduced carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC) and PM by 62, 56, and 72% on average. Most of the emission reductions were achieved when the control technology went from E0 to E1 in Xi'an, and E2 to E3 in Beijing, which resulted in PM reductions of 79% associated with highway driving and 60% associated with urban or rural driving. Emission levels of oxides of nitrogen (NO(X)) were not improved from previous emission control steps. Compared with Xi'an, the emission rate is lower in Beijing, which is strong evidence of the effectiveness of the present comprehensive emission control strategy in Beijing. Emissions were grouped into driving bins that corresponded to the energy demand placed on the vehicles. By using this binning approach, it was found that E3 trucks were successfully controlling the high emission rates in aggressive driving bins, which led to the low average emission for E3 trucks.

RECLAIM: Los Angeles' New Market-Based Smog Cleanup Program.

For 30 years economists argued the merits of market-incentives for environmental programs. Along the way, there have been small steps into the concept, often countered with vast amounts of resistance. In 1990, the air agency viewed as the nation's strongest purveyor of commandand- control regulations broke with tradition and initiated the world's largest, multi-industry, multi-pollutant trading program. This article chronicles, in three parts, the South Coast Air Quality Management District's REgional CLean Air Incentives Market-RECLAIM. In part one, "A New Idea Takes Root," the challenge and cost of attaining clean air is assessed. Reasons to consider market-incentives are discussed, along with the pros and cons of commandand- control regulations. In part two, "The Battle of Interests," the competing interests that shaped the regulations are presented. Here are the lessons learned from forging the idea through the fire of rule development. Large and small businesses, federal, state, and local agencies, and numerous environmental groups all influenced the final shape of the program. Finally, part three, "From Concept to Reality," looks at what it takes to implement the adopted rules. New permits, new emission reporting systems, and a new trading program mesh to ensure the successful operation and enforcement of RECLAIM.