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Regulatory Programs
EPA is devoting significant efforts to ensuring the successful implementation of stringent new standards for diesel fuel and new diesel engines. These standards are the critical foundation of EPA’s diesel control program.
Beginning June 1, 2006, refiners began producing clean ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel – diesel fuel with a sulfur level that is at or below 15 parts per million (ppm) – for use in highway diesel engines. Low sulfur (500 ppm) diesel fuel for nonroad diesel engines is now required in 2007, followed by ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel for these machines in 2010, and for locomotives and marine engines in 2012.
Besides reducing emissions from the existing diesel fleet, these clean fuels will enable the use of advanced after-treatment technologies on new engines. Technologies like particulate traps, capable of emission reductions of 90% and more, will be required under new standards which began phasing into the highway sector in 2007, and will begin taking effect in the nonroad sector in 2011. These programs will yield enormous long-term benefits for public health and the environment. By 2030, when the engine fleet has been fully turned over, particulate matter (PM) and nitrous oxides (NOx) will be reduced by 250,000 tons/year and 4 million tons/year, respectively. This will result in annual benefits of over $150 billion, at a cost of approximately $7 billion. Similar stringent emissions standards for locomotives and marine diesels are now being finalized. EPA is also working to reduce emissions from large commercial marine diesel vessels like cruise and container ships through the use of cleaner fuels and engines.
Together these programs will yield enormous long-term benefits for public health and the environment.
Learn more about the different Heavy Duty Diesel engine and fuel regulatory programs.