Oregon jumps on marine engine bandwagon October 16, 2002
In an effort to promote new technology marine engines, Oregon recently signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU calls for the acceleration of phased-in
lower polluting marine engines.
Participating in the signing ceremony were the Oregon State Marine Board, the Portland
Marine Dealers Association, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Marine
Retailers Association of America, the Personal Watercraft Industry Association and
NMMA. The MOU launches development of a public information and marketing campaign educating
personal watercraft operators and boaters about carbureted marine engines and the environmental
benefits of retiring them in favor of efficient, lower-pollution marine engines. Other
states that have signed MOUs with the boating and personal watercraft industries include
MD, NH, MA, FL, ME, VT, NY, WI, CT and RI.
EPA regulations mandate that marine engine manufacturers must produce outboard and
personal watercraft engines that reduce engine hydrocarbon emissions by 75 percent
by 2006. Many marine industries have quickly followed these regulations by producing,
introducing and effectively retailing new technology engines.
For more information, contact NMMA vice president of Government Relations Monita
Fontaine at (202) 721-1602;
,
visit the NMMA website at www.nmma.org, or visit the
Oregon State Marine Board’s website at www.boatoregon.com.
