Normally, diesel powered locomotives operate in remote areas with poor supply and demand for electricity.(image: Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, Jan. 10 (Korea Bizwire) — The Ministry of Environment announced on January 9 that it would enact an amendment to the Enforcement Regulations of the Air Quality Preservation Act, which will include the establishment of emission limit standards for diesel locomotives.
Diesel locomotives were always in a bit of a blind spot when it came to PM2.5 emissions, a level one carcinogen. The revised bill is a part of a joint effort to implement a comprehensive fine dust management plan.
Once the amendment is passed, new diesel locomotives to be manufactured and imported must comply with the new emissions standards.
Normally, diesel powered locomotives operate in remote areas with poor supply and demand for electricity. There are currently 348 such locomotives in operation.
These locomotives emit 3,400 kilograms of fine dust every year, which is 850 times more than a regular diesel car, and account for 2 percent of total fine dust emissions.
It was pointed out that diesel locomotives are in a blind spot as they don’t have to meet emissions standards, unlike heavy machinery and marine vessels.
The ministry is expecting to reduce 1,200 kilograms of fine dust emissions every year with the new emissions standard.
However, the standard only applies to newly manufactured and imported diesel railroad vehicles for Korea Railroad Corp. which is gradually retiring older diesel locomotives.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
