United States Environmental Protection Agency Air and Radiation Office of Mobile Sources EPA420-F-98-008 April 1998 NOTE: This is an unofficial version of the fact sheet; It does not meet EPA graphics standards. The official version is available electronically in Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format (PDF) or in hardcopy. Office of Mobile Sources The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Mobile Sources (OMS) is responsible for carrying out laws to control air pollution from motor vehicles, engines, and their fuels. Mobile sources include: cars and light trucks, large trucks and buses, farm and construction equipment, lawn and garden equipment, marine engines, aircraft, and locomotives. Overview Established in 1971, OMS is divided between EPA's headquarters in Washington, D.C., and the National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory in Ann Arbor, Michigan, near the headquarters of domestic automobile manufacturers. There are about 500 personnel in OMS. Staff expertise spans a variety of technical and public policy fields including auto mechanics, engineering, chemistry, economics, natural resources management, and law. OMS develops national standards for emissions, evaluates emission control technology, tests vehicles, engines, and fuels, and determines compliance with federal emission and fuel economy standards. OMS also develops fuel standards, inspection and maintenance programs, and market and transportation incentive programs. Reducing Air Pollution from Mobile Sources The early goals of OMS centered around working with industry to reduce emissions from individual automobiles. The approach achieved dramatic success -- compared to an uncontrolled passenger car of 1970, an average car on the road today emits 60 to 90 percent less pollution over its lifetime. However, the amount of driving in this country has more than doubled since then, so transportation still accounts for a large part of national air pollution. More than half the U.S. population live in areas where pollution levels exceed federal air quality standards. 1990 Clean Air Act A major challenge for OMS is to find ways to reduce vehicle-related pollution given the increase in vehicle travel. Congress outlined a four-point strategy in the 1990 Clean Air Act to achieve further emission reductions from transportation sources. The strategy broadens OMS's program activities beyond its original focus on new car emission standards to emphasize: * Clean Vehicles - Develop more stringent emission standards for cars, buses, trucks, and nonroad engines, such as construction equipment, boats, lawn and garden equipment, and locomotives. * Clean Fuels - Develop reformulated gasoline, diesel fuel, and nonpetroleum alternatives. * Inspection and Maintenance and Onboard Diagnostics - Develop programs to identify faulty emission controls and ensure their repair so vehicles remain clean in actual customer use. * Clean Transportation Alternatives - Develop strategies to encourage transportation alternatives to address vehicle travel growth. Organization Overview Advanced Technology Support Division The Advanced Technology Support Division is responsible for all automotive technology development programs related to the reduction of conventional pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions. The major focus of the division is the development of new and emerging technologies, such as Clean Car (Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles), low NOx diesel engines, and alternative fuel technologies. Assessment and Modeling Division The Assessment and Modeling Division develops highway and nonroad emissions models, oversees test programs to collect emissions data from in-use vehicles and engines, and analyses the emission reductions from mobile source emission control programs. EPA and state air quality and transportation planning agencies use this information to estimate emission inventories and evaluate pollution control program options. Engine Programs and Compliance Division The Engine Programs and Compliance Division develops, implements, and assures compliance with national programs to reduce emissions from engines and engine systems. This includes heavy-duty highway engines, nonroad engines, marine engines, locomotives and aircraft. Fuels and Energy Division The Fuels and Energy Division develops and implements fuel emissions control programs. This includes implementing the Reformulated Gasoline Program which improves air quality by requiring that gasoline sold in the most polluted urban areas reduce emissions of toxics and ozone-forming compounds. Policy, Planning and Budget Division The Policy, Planning and Budget Division provides overall policy coordination, and administrative and management systems support, including strategic planning and budget development, to the Office Director. This division also provides support in the areas of regulatory and program development, management outreach, and regional and state relations. Regional and State Programs Division The Regional and State Programs Division develops and implements programs that are required by the Clean Air Act to be included in State Implementation Plans to address the impact of in-use motor vehicles on air pollution, land use policy, and other transportation issues. Testing and Services Division The Testing Services Division provides emission testing services for motor vehicle, heavy-duty engine, and nonroad engine programs in support of rulemakings, enforcement actions, and procedures development. Testing activities include certification, fuel economy and in-use compliance programs. The division also analyzes fuels and fuel additives, and exhaust compounds. Vehicle Programs and Compliance Division The Vehicle Programs and Compliance Division develops, implements, and assures compliance with national programs to reduce emissions from cars, motorcycles, and light trucks. In carrying out its mission, the Division conducts a full range of technology development and compliance program implementation activities. For More Information Additional information on OMS programs and regulations is available electronically from the EPA Internet server at: http://www.epa.gov/oms (look in What's New or under the specific topic) Document information is also available by writing to: The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Mobile Sources 2565 Plymouth Road Ann Arbor, MI 48105