In The News

U.S. Now has the Cleanest On-road Diesel Fuel in the World

December 1 marked a major milestone for the nation's transition to ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel -- all on-highway diesel fuel now complies with the landmark 15 parts-per-million sulfur standard. This represents a 97 percent reduction in sulfur content from 2006 levels. According to EPA's pump survey, the highway transition to ULSD was actually completed a few weeks ago.

"It is quite a remarkable feat that refiners have been able to reduce the sulfur content in diesel fuel by 97 percent," said Allen Schaeffer, the Executive Director of the Diesel Technology Forum. "The United States now officially has the cleanest on-road diesel fuel in the world."

This year has included several important environmental landmarks - the 40th anniversary of the Clean Air Act, the 10th anniversary of the National Clean Diesel Campaign, and now the official completion of the new ultra-low sulfur diesel transition.

"The new clean diesel fuel will be a major contributor in helping cities and states meet strict new air quality goals set by the federal government," Schaeffer said.

Schaeffer note that there is still work to be done transitioning off-road vehicles like farm tractors and construction machines to ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel. Construction and agricultural equipment manufacturers are well on their way to launching a new generation of low-emission clean diesel engines that will require this cleaner fuel.

ULSD is still available in diminishing quantities to off-road users, and will be until the end of 2011. EPA's Tier 4 emissions reduction timetable requires different deadlines for different types of equipment, but requires manufacturers to reduce the levels of particulate matter and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) to a level that is 50-96 percent lower than existing generation of diesel engines. Tier 4 final standards come into effect in 2014.

More info: Diesel Technology Forum.

www.TruckingInfo.com