Clean diesel will deliver cleaner
air
Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD), the single, most
far-reaching environmental and public health achievement since lead
was removed from gasoline, is now available for consumers at the
pump. This clean-burning fuel has 97 percent less sulfur and will
deliver billions of dollars in environmental and public health benefits.
“America’s pumps are primed to deliver
on President Bush’s goal of clean diesel and cleaner air,”
said Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator Stephen
L. Johnson.
The availability of cleaner-burning diesel at
the pump will allow for the use of new pollution control technology
in cars, trucks, and buses.
The clean diesel rules are addressing diesel fuels
and engines as a single system that will reduce air pollution from
diesel engines by more than 90 percent — or about 13 million
— of today’s trucks and buses. Once fully implemented,
ULSD will result in the annual reduction of 2.6 million tons of
nitrogen oxides and 110,000 tons of particulate matter.
This new fuel will help to open up markets to
clean diesel passenger cars, pickup trucks, and delivery vehicles
that are 30 percent more efficient than current fleets with similar
reductions in carbon dioxide emissions. In addition to the fuel
economy and carbon emission benefits, a new fleet of clean diesel
vehicles will have lower maintenance costs, longer engine life,
and typically lower fuel costs.
On June 1, refiners and fuel importers were required
to start producing ULSD, which contains 15 ppm sulfur, down from
500 ppm. The roll-out of clean diesel fuel is smart environmental
and fiscal policy. When fully applied, clean diesel fuels and engines
will result in more than $70 billion annually in environmental and
public health benefits at a fraction of the cost ($4 billion per
year). Expanded use of ULSD also will enhance energy security since
diesels tend to be more fuel efficient than gasoline engines.
For additional information on EPA’s clean
diesel programs, visit www.epa.gov/otaq/diesel. |
