After a frustrating year and half of delay the US Environmental Protection Agency has finally been able to introduce new regulations that target summer pollution levels.

The new regulations could result in a 25 percent reduction of smog-forming emissions and carbon monoxide from the nation’s motor vehicle sector.

Small gasoline engines that power pleasure craft boats and other recreational watercraft will now be required to reduce their emissions by 35 percent beginning in 2010. Lawnmowers and other garden equipment are required to meet the same emissions reduction by 2011.

The EPA had hoped to introduce the regulation in April, 2007 but were continually frustrated by the lobbying efforts of Sen. Kit Bond, R-Mo.

Sen. Bond’s state of Missouri is the home of Briggs and Stratton which has two large manufacturing plants that produce small gasoline engines. The company found a sympathetic voice in Sen. Bond to delay or derail the implementation of the EPA regulations.

As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee Sen. Bond often sparred with Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif, over small engine emissions controls.

In 2003 when California attempted to introduce its own small engine control regulations Sen. Bond tried to introduce language in a spending bill that would have prevented California of implementing the new emission control rules. He eventually backed down under pressure from Sen. Feinstein.

The implementation of the EPA regulations were further delayed after Sen. Bond questioned whether small engines that were equipped with catalytic converters would pose a fire hazard. After months of exhaustive and costly studies the EPA concluded that there was no danger.

The EPA said that approximately 190 million gallons of gasoline will be saved each year once the new regulations take effect and over 300 premature deaths avoided.

“When fully implemented, this rule will be the air pollution equivalent of removing one out of every five cars and trucks on the road,” said Bill Becker, Executive Director of the National Association of Clean Air Agencies.

“Each year, Americans spend more than 3 billion hours using lawn and garden equipment and more than 500 million hours in recreational boating,” said the EPA in a statement.

The new EPA regulations will have far reaching effects. According to their statement the EPA suggests, “The total estimated public health benefits range between 1.6 and 4.4 billion dollars by 2030. These benefits outweigh estimated costs by at least 8 to 1, while preventing over 300 premature deaths, 1,700 hospitalizations and 23 thousand lost work days annually.”

“These new clean air standards will reduce dangerous smog pollution from high-emitting gasoline engines while helping to cut costs at the gas pump,” said Vickie Patton, the Environmental Defense Fund’s deputy general counsel.

Small engine manufacturers now admit that while the new EPA regulations will mean higher prices for their products they will not result in the dramatic loss of jobs as they had once predicted.  Sen. Bond’s efforts on their behalf has turned out to be a unnecessary crusade for political delay and bad air.

“Its been an undertaking,” said Kris Kiser, Vice President of Public Affairs at the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute. “Challenging, but again, fair and achievable and it is the right thing to do.”

Presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain has appointed Sen. Bond as his Campaign Chairman for Missouri.