EAGLE White Paper on the
Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Endangerment Finding on Lead Emissions Decision
October 18, 2023
This document is a product of the Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE) initiative and does not necessarily represent the views or policies of any U.S. governmental organization or agency.
The EPA’s issuance of its final endangerment finding was well anticipated. With the final finding, the EPA is now subject to a duty under the Clean Air Act to propose and issue regulatory standards for lead emissions from certain aircraft engines. Under its own authorities, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) now has the authority and obligation to develop standards that address the composition or chemical or physical properties of an aircraft fuel or fuel additive to control or eliminate aircraft lead emissions. In other words, this action begins a multi-year regulatory process that EAGLE expects will conclude with the eventual elimination of lead from aviation gasoline. The EPA is not proposing aircraft engine lead emission standards with this action.
The general aviation community and fuel suppliers remain committed to reducing and eliminating lead emissions from aviation gasoline no later than the end of 2030 or sooner, without compromising the safe and efficient operation of the U.S. fleet of aircraft and the economic contribution of general aviation. The FAA and the aviation community established the Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE) initiative in February 2022 to facilitate an orderly and safe transition to a lead-free aviation gasoline (avgas) future.
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This EAGLE White Paper was published by the EPA on October 18, 2023.