The Diesel Technology Forum and International Truck and Engine Corp. testified in favor of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's proposed emissions and low-sulfur fuel regulations during the first of a series of public hearings yesterday in New York.

"EPA's proposal...calls for another milestone in the continuing improvement of diesel technology," said David Bartlett of the Diesel Technology Forum. The forum is a new group
working on reducing emissions from both existing and new diesel engines, while recognizing the benefits of diesel technology.
"The availability of ultra-clean diesel fuel is a prerequisite to meeting the challenging new emissions standards beginning in 2007," said Patrick Charbonneau, International's vice
president for engine engineering. "With this ultra-clean fuel available so soon, International will commercialize its ‘green diesel’ engine technology early next year."
Last month, International compared the need for ultra-low-sulfur fuel to what occurred when lead was forced out of gasoline during the late '70s and early to mid-80s.
The second EPA hearing is being held today at the Rosemont Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill., near Chicago. Other upcoming hearings will be held in Atlanta, Denver and Los Angeles.