The Bush Administration’s Clean Air Nonroad Diesel Rule, signed Tuesday, will cut emission levels from construction, agricultural and industrial diesel-powered equipment by more than 90%,
according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
The new rule will also remove 99% of the sulfur in diesel fuel by 2010, resulting in dramatic reductions in soot from all diesel engines.
"We are going to make that burst of black smoke that erupts from diesels a thing of the past," EPA Administrator Mike Leavitt said. "We’re able to accomplish this in large part because of a masterful collaboration with engine and equipment manufacturers, the oil industry, state officials, and the public health and environmental communities."
When the full inventory of older nonroad engines has been replaced, the nonroad diesel program will annually prevent up to 12,000 premature deaths, one million lost work days, 15,000 heart attacks and 6,000 children's asthma-related emergency room visits, the EPA claims.
The anticipated costs vary with the size and complexity of the equipment but are in the range of 1% to 3% of the total purchase price for most equipment categories. While the estimated added cost for low-sulfur fuel is about seven cents per gallon, the net cost is projected to average about four cents per gallon because the use of ultra-low sulfur fuel could significantly reduce engine maintenance expenses. The overall benefits of the nonroad diesel program are estimated to significantly outweigh the costs by a ratio of 40 to 1, according to the EPA.
Standards for new engines will be phased in starting with the smallest engines in 2008 until all but the very largest diesel engines meet both NOx and PM standards in 2014. Some of the largest engines, 750+ horsepower, will have one additional year to meet the emissions standards.
More information on EPA’s clean diesel programs, including the Clean Air Nonroad Diesel Rule, is available at www.epagov/cleandiesel.