On November 8, 2005, the EPA Administrator signed a direct final rule that will shift the retail compliance date for offering ULSD for highway use from September 1, 2006, to October 15, 2006. The change will allow more time for retail outlets and terminals to comply with the new 15 parts per million (ppm) sulfur standard, providing time for entities in the diesel fuel distribution system to flush higher sulfur fuel out of the system during the transition. Terminals will have until September 1, 2006, to complete their transitions to ULSD. The previous deadline was July 15, 2006. 

There is no change in the June 1, 2006, start date for refiners to be producing ULSD. Also, during the extended transition period, diesel fuel meeting a 22-ppm level can be temporarily marketed as ULSD at the retail pump. Finally, the EPA extended the beginning date for the restriction on how much ULSD can be downgraded to higher sulfur fuel by 15 days, to October 15, 2006, to be consistent with the end of the new transition dates. 

The 45-day transition delay will help to ensure nationwide availability of 15-ppm ULSD before the introduction of new model year 2007 diesel trucks and buses designed to operate on the improved fuel. These minor timing adjustments do not affect the AEO2006 projections.

Contact: William Brown
Phone: 202-586-8181
E-mail: william.brown@eia.doe.gov