NEPA Completing Draft on Motor Vehicle Emission Standards

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) is currently finalising the draft paper for the motor vehicle emission standards, which is expected to be adopted into a regulatory framework, this fiscal year.

This was disclosed by State Minister in the Ministry of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Ian Hayles, during his contribution to the 2014/15 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, on June 17.

“I am putting the country on notice that this year we will begin tackling an even more pervasive air quality issue – motor vehicle emissions,” he noted.

Mr. Hayles informed that the implementation of the regulatory framework will allow the country to realise the testing of motor vehicle emissions and regulate fleet emissions.

He said the Ministry will also be partnering with United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the University of Technology (UTech), in implementing a Global Fuel Efficiency Initiative in this financial year, which will look at issues related to clean fuels and vehicle efficiency.

This, he said, will support the motor vehicle emission standards that will be adopted this fiscal year.

In the meantime, the State Minister also informed that Government will further expand the air quality monitoring programme to Manchester and St. Catherine, during the 2014/15 financial year.

He said the Ministry is currently in discussions with several international partners to develop its ability to monitor greenhouse gases, specifically in procuring a mobile air quality laboratory.

“This will increase the country’s emergency response to air pollution incidents and allow for the prompt dissemination of information to our emergency response partners to save lives during major hazard events,” the State Minister said.

Last year, Government fulfilled its commitment to expand the air quality monitoring network, with NEPA establishing monitoring stations in Catherine Hall, Montego Bay and on Main Street, May Pen.

The expansion was executed at a cost of $8 million, and brings the current government air monitoring network to eight sites.

The NEPA has also licensed 35 private industry emitters who also operate air monitors. These complement the eight government stations and bolster the islandwide air monitoring network.