With only six weeks remaining until the "Go Live" date that federally mandates making ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) available at fuel stations, retailers in California announced they will begin selling the new fuel on Friday.

The much documented ULSD, consisting of 15 parts-per-million (ppm) of sulfur, compared to the current 500 ppm, is designed to reduce nitrogen oxide gas emissions and has recently been blamed for fuel shortages in the Rockies as well as increased fuel prices.
While most experts predict little to no problems with the fuel changeover, many fuel stations are beginning to draw their tanks low on low sulfur diesel (LSD) to accommodate the October deadline for ULSD. In mid-July, one effort to combat the fuel shortage, Nebraska's governor issued a waiver on truckers' hours of service rules for diesel haulers, which was set to expire, on Aug. 20th so that fuel retailers will have enough fuel to provide the trucks.