Office of Transportation EPA420-F-06-064
Urited States and Air Quality October 2006
Environmental Protection
Agency
Program
Update
Introduction of Cleaner-Burning
Diesel Fuel Enables Advanced
Pollution Control for Cars, Trucks
and Buses
The low sulfur diesel fuel portion ofEPA's Heavy-Duty Highway Diesel
rule (the "2007 Highway Rule"), which was finalized in January 2001,
is now taking effect. Refiners are producing the cleaner-burning diesel
fuel, called Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD), for use in highway vehicles
beginning in June 2006. This new diesel fuel costs an additional 4 and
5 cents per gallon to produce and distribute. ULSD enables advanced
pollution control technology for heavy-duty trucks and buses so
that engine and vehicle manufacturers can meet the 2007 emission
standards. As a result, each new truck and bus will be more than 90
percent cleaner than current models. ULSD also enables light-duty
passenger vehicle manufacturers to make use of similar technologies on
diesel-powered cars, SUVs and light-trucks.
Overview
EPA's Clean Air Highway Diesel final rule requires a 97 percent reduc-
tion in the sulfur content of highway diesel fuel, from its current level of
500 parts per million (ppm), to 15 ppm. As of October 15, 2006, ULSD
is available at retail stations. Cars, trucks and buses with advanced pollu-
tion control will be available beginning in the autumn of 2006.
By addressing diesel fuel and engines together as a single system, this
program will provide annual emission reductions equivalent to removing
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the pollution from more than 90 percent of today's trucks and buses, or
about 13 million trucks and buses, when the current heavy-duty vehicle
fleet has been completely replaced in 2030. This is the greatest reduction
in harmful emissions of soot, or particulate matter (PM), ever achieved
from cars and trucks.
Public Health Benefits
Once this action is fully implemented, environmental benefits include:
• 2.6 million tons of smog-causing nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions
will be reduced each year.
• PM will be reduced by 110,000 tons per year.
In the long term, this program will result in more than $70 billion annual-
ly in environmental and public health benefits at a cost of approximately
$4 billion per year.
Health benefits will include the annual prevention of:
• 8,300 premature deaths
• 5,500 cases of chronic bronchitis
• 17,600 cases of acute bronchitis in children
• 360,000 cases of respiratory symptoms in asthmatic children
• 1.5 million lost work days
• 7,100 hospital visits
• 2,400 emergency room visits for asthma
Smog causes a range of health problems related to breathing, including
chest pain, coughing, and shortness of breath. Soot is deposited deep in
the lungs and causes premature death, increased emergency room visits,
and increased respiratory symptoms and disease. With both smog and
soot, children and the elderly are most at risk. Smog and soot also ad-
versely affect the environment in various ways, including crop damage,
acid rain, and visibility impairment.
Lead Time
EPA provided significant lead time for refiners and other parties through-
out the fuel production and distribution industry to ensure a smooth
transition to ULSD. Although the fuel provisions began going into effect
in June 2006, they will be phased in through 2009. EPA also provided
special hardship provisions for small refiners to minimize their economic
costs.
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Stakeholder Outreach
Since the standards were finalized in 2001, EPA has worked with the reg-
ulated community and other stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition.
We co-sponsored and participated in numerous workshops and technol-
ogy review panels, and issued progress reports, and guidance documents.
Where necessary, we have also issued several technical amendments to
the regulations to ensure a smooth introduction of the program.
In late 2005, EPA began participating with the Clean Diesel Fuel Alli-
ance, a group of more than 20 industry, government, and consumer orga-
nizations that are working together to provide information on the benefits
of ULSD and cleaner-burning diesel cars, trucks and buses.
For More Information
For more information on this program, please visit the following Web
sites:
• 2007 Heavy-Duty Highway Rule:
www. epa. gov/otaq/diesel .htm
• EPAs National Clean Diesel Campaign:
www.epa.gov/cleandiesel
• Clean Diesel Fuel Alliance:
www.cleMi-diesel.org
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