EPA: Say goodbye to super-smoggy gas lawn mowers

Under new EPA rules, gas-powered lawn mowers are going to spew 35 percent less in emissions by 2011, a reduction in pollution that environmentalists say is equal to removing one of every five cars and trucks from the road.

The new standards, issued Thursday after years of battling with industry lobbyists, would kick in in 2010 for speedboats and other recreational watercraft.

According to this report from the AP, the EPA said approximately 190 million gallons of gasoline will be saved each year when the rules take effect, and more than 300 premature deaths prevented annually.

The EPA's cost estimate: $236 million annually. According to the AP, tthe California Air Resources Board has estimated that walk-behind mowers would cost 18 percent more under the new regulation.

Environmentalists welcomed the regulation, which applies to lawn care engines under 25 horsepower and to a full range of gas-powered personal watercraft. The rule requires a 70 percent reduction in emissions from recreational watercraft.

"These small engines are big polluters," said Vickie Patton, deputy counsel of the Enviromental Defense Fund. "Finalizing protective clean air standards for these engines is an important step toward healthy air for the millions of Americans living in neighborhoods and communities with unhealthy ozone pollution levels."

For more from the Environmental Defense Fund on this issue, click here.

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