Ultra
Low Sulfur Diesel is the primary
highway diesel fuel produced.
The full transition to ULSD fuel is complex and involves coordination
at many levels. Under the EPA standards:
- Effective June 1, 2006, refiners and importers nationwide are now required to ensure that at least
80 percent of the volume of the highway diesel fuel they produce
or import is ULSD-compliant.
- Diesel fuel classified as ULSD is flowing to distribution and marketing
points downstream from refineries (i.e., pipelines, distributors,
terminals and transporters) and is now available at many retail locations.
- Diesel fuel classified as Low Sulfur Diesel fuel may still be
sold at retail locations outside of California until December 1, 2010.
- The State of Alaska received an extension of the highway fuel 15 ppm requirement until 2010.
Effective Dates for Highway ULSD Fuel
Who
|
What |
U.S. |
California |
Refiners &
Importers |
Import/produce at least 80% ULSD for on highway use |
6/01/06 |
|
Import/produce at least 100% ULSD for on highway use |
6/01/10 |
6/01/06 |
Downstream from
Refineries through
Fuel Terminals |
Facilities that choose to carry ULSD must meet 15 ppm
sulfur specification |
9/01/06 |
|
All highway diesel must be ULSD |
10/01/10 |
7/15/06 |
Retail Outlets |
Facilities that choose to carry ULSD must meet
15 ppm sulfur specification |
10/15/06 |
|
All highway diesel must be ULSD |
12/01/10 |
9/01/06 |
Although ULSD fuel is the dominant highway diesel fuel produced,
EPA does not require service stations and truck stops to sell
ULSD fuel. Therefore, ULSD fuel might not be
available at every service station or truck stop. Diesel retailers may choose to sell Low Sulfur Diesel fuel instead
of ULSD fuel until December 1, 2010, when only ULSD fuel will be available for highway use. The industries involved in the transition are doing
all they can to minimize potential inconveniences during the conversion
to ULSD fuel.
Federal regulations require the labeling
of diesel fuel pumps to specify the type of fuel dispensed
by each pump (except in California where all diesel fuel must be
ULSD). Similar vehicle instrument panel and fuel inlet/fill
cap labeling is mandated for 2007 and later model year highway
engines and vehicles that require ULSD fuel.* Consumers are advised
to check the pump and
vehicle labels to ensure they are refueling
with the proper diesel fuel consistent with their
vehicle warranties.
Data from EPA's ULSD pump survey from the Fourth Quarter of 2006 through the Fourth Quarter of 2008 indicate that nearly 97 percent of highway diesel fuel pumps are now dispensing Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD).
The EPA standards provide strong incentives for suppliers to provide
the proper ULSD fuel formulation. Civil penalties of up to $32,500
per violation per day can be assessed for non-compliance with EPA’s
ULSD fuel standards, or for misrepresentation of the sulfur level
of
diesel fuel.
Click here for downloadable
pump labels in TIF, JPG and EPS formats.
Click here for EPA Winterization Standards Letter 11-30-07 (PDF).
*Exception – Some 2007 model year medium-duty and heavy-duty
trucks may be equipped with 2006 engines and emission systems. These
vehicles are not required
to use ULSD fuel.
|