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The federal government?EUR??,,????'???s Environmental Protection Agency granted California permission on Dec. 11 to force reduced emissions from lawnmowers and other small-engine machines.

As happened in the early 1970s with automobiles, the California change heralds new national standards. The agency said it will seek the change throughout the United States next year.

The Environmental Protection Agency waiver will allow the nation?EUR??,,????'???s most populous state, starting Jan. 1, to require highly-polluting small engines to be sold with catalytic converters that cut smog emissions by roughly 40 percent.

?EUR??,,????'??The emission standards we are considering would reduce smog-forming pollutants from lawnmowers by over 40 percent when fully implemented,?EUR??,,????'?? said Bill Wehrum, EPA acting assistant administrator for air and radiation. ?EUR??,,????'??EPA approved the California waiver request because new, cleaner engines can safely reduce emissions.?EUR??,,????'??

Engines under 50 horsepower account for 7 percent of smog emissions in California from mobile sources, the equivalent of about 3 million cars. The engines also power blowers, edgers and small generators.

December?EUR??,,????'???s EPA action ended several years of political dispute driven by Republican Sen. Kit Bond, whose state of Missouri is home to two factories owned by Briggs & Stratton Corp., the nation?EUR??,,????'???s largest small-engine maker.

Briggs & Stratton had resisted installing catalytic converters on its engines, and Bond had sought to block California from instituting its regulation. The state has unique authority under the Clean Air Act to set tougher pollution standards than the federal government, once it gets an EPA waiver.

Bond backed off under pressure from Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, but he succeeded in blocking other states from being able to copy California?EUR??,,????'???s rule, which the federal Clean Air Act normally would allow. Instead, he required EPA to write a national standard.

California, which has some of the nation?EUR??,,????'???s most polluted air, is under constant pressure to meet federal air quality standards or risk sanctions including losing money for highway projects.

Sources: Associated Press, Sacramento (Calif.) Bee

New Mower Standards Summary

What: New gas-powered lawn mowers, larger leaf blowers, generators and power washers sold in California must have catalytic converters.

Why: To reduce pollution.

When: Jan. 1, though consumers won?EUR??,,????'???t see the newer models in stores until later in the year.

Cost: Walk-behind mowers will cost an estimated $37 to $52 more.