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EPA420-F-04-039, May 2004
The Clean Diesel programs cover cleaner fuels and improved emission
controls for nearly every type of diesel vehicle or equipment, whether
new or in use today. These Clean Diesel programs are made possible
by new technological developments and an unprecedented level of
collaboration with engine manufacturers and fuel refiners.
New, Stringent Standards for Diesel Nonroad Engines
Clean Air Diesel Nonroad Rule
May 10, 2004: Today, the Bush Administration announced one of the
most dramatic advancements in clean air protection since passage
of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. EPA's Clean Air Nonroad
Diesel Rule requires stringent pollution controls on diesel engines
used in industries such as construction, agriculture and mining,
and it will slash sulfur content in diesel fuel. By combining tough
exhaust standards with cleaner fuel requirements, the rule will
cut emission levels from nonroad diesel equipment by over 90 percent.
The new rule will also remove 99 percent of the sulfur in diesel
fuel used in nonroad equipment, resulting in dramatic reductions
in particulate pollution from nonroad diesel engines. The program
will have dramatic health benefits each year, including preventing12
thousand fewer premature deaths and hundreds of thousands of incidences
of respiratory problems. The overall benefits ($80 billion annually)
of this rule outweigh the costs by 40:1.
These environmental and public health benefits are made possible
by new emission control technologies and cleaner, low-sulfur fuels.
Lowering sulfur in diesel fuel directly reduces particulate matter
emissions and enables manufacturers to install emission control
devices. The Clean Air Nonroad Diesel rule will reduce the sulfur
content of diesel fuel from its currently uncontrolled level of
approximately 3000 parts per million to 500 parts per million (ppm)
beginning in 2007 and then to 15 ppm (in 2010 for land-based nonroad
diesel fuel and in 2012 for fuel used in locomotives and marine
vessels), a 99 percent reduction.
Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Locomotives and
Marine Engines
EPA is considering emission standards modeled after our 2007/2010
clean highway and nonroad diesel engine program, with an emphasis
on achieving large reductions in PM and NOx emissions as early as
possible through the use of advanced emission control technology.
These standards, which could apply as early as 2011, would be enabled
by the availability of clean diesel fuel. The low-sulfur fuel will
be broadly available throughout the United States in 2010.
Continued Progress: Clean Diesel Truck and Bus Rule
In 2000, EPA finalized the Clean Diesel Truck and Bus Rule. This
rulemaking provides for the cleanest-running heavy-duty trucks and
buses in history. Due to new control technologies and cleaner, low-sulfur
fuel, these vehicles will be over 90 percent cleaner than today's
trucks and buses. EPA has closely followed industry progress toward
meeting the new standards. Our review has found that engine manufacturers
are on target to introduce new engines in 2007 and that 15 ppm sulfur
highway diesel fuel will be widely available nationwide. In fact,
refiners are already providing low-sulfur fuels to numerous areas
across the nation, including parts of California and the northeast.
Cleaning Up Vehicles on the Road Today
EPA also has developed a number of voluntary programs that complement
these rulemakings by addressing emissions from diesel vehicles on
the road today.
Clean School Bus USA
EPA's Clean School Bus USA program brings together partners from
business, education, transportation, and public health organizations
to work toward three goals: 1) eliminating unnecessary public school
bus idling; 2) retrofitting buses with improved emission control
technologies; and 3) replacing the oldest buses in the fleet with
new, less polluting buses.
President Bush's 2005 budget proposal includes a $65 million request
for the Clean School Bus USA Program. This funding, a $60 million
increase over current levels, would greatly enhance the ability
of Clean School Bus USA partners to bring cleaner school buses to
communities across the nation.
SmartWay Transport
The SmartWay Transport Partnership is a collaborative voluntary
program between EPA and the freight industry that will increase
the energy efficiency and energy security of our country while significantly
reducing air pollution and greenhouse gases. By 2012, this initiative
aims to reduce between 33 - 66 million metric tons of carbon dioxide
(CO2) emissions and up to 200,000 tons of NOx emissions per year.
At the same time, the initiative will result in fuel savings of
up to 150 million barrels of oil annually.
Voluntary Diesel Retrofit Program
The Voluntary Diesel Retrofit Program addresses pollution from diesel
construction equipment and heavy-duty vehicles in use today. The
EPA, in partnership with state, local and industry stakeholders,
is working towards reducing emissions from existing diesel engines
in 29 states and the District of Columbia. EPA recently announced
$1.5 million in grant funding for retrofit projects demonstrating
innovative strategies for reducing emissions from diesel fleets,
including nonroad equipment. This funding is particularly focused
on projects that address sensitive populations, such as children,
the elderly, and the chronically ill, who are more susceptible to
the effects of diesel exhaust.
For More Information
Additional information on EPA's Clean Diesel Programs is at: http://www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/.
For further information or assistance regarding this web page,
please contact the Assessment and Standards Division Information
Line at (734) 214-4636 or email: asdinfo@epa.gov.
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