The Engine Manufacturers Association is urging the government to put new low-sulfur diesel standards in place all at once rather than phasing them in.

Speaking at an Environmental Protection Agency public workshop on diesel fuel characteristics and emissions, EMA's Lisa Stegink said engine manufacturers need a nationwide diesel fuel sulfur cap of 15 ppm to meet upcoming on-road diesel engine emissions standards.
"EMA supports a nationwide, harmonized on-highway diesel fuel with no phase-in and believes that boutique fuels must be avoided," said Stegink. "Ultra-low sulfur diesel is needed to enable aftertreatment technologies and to allow pull ahead of clean diesel technology, and we need it to be available no later than June 2006."
The group also wants EPA to take quick action in deciding the future of the non-road engine program and the level of sulfur in non-road fuels. The already adopted Tier 3 non-road standards require a change from the current 3300-ppm average sulfur content of non-road diesel fuel. Further, any use of on-highway-like technologies to meet future non-road emissions standards will require the use of 15 ppm or less fuel.
"Other changes in fuel parameters such as cetane or aromatic content are helpful in reducing emissions, but such changes should be implemented consistently across the country to avoid creation of boutique fuel markets and should not slow the nationwide introduction of ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel," Stegink said.
The EMA is on the side of truckstop/travel plaza organization NATSO, which believes phasing in the diesel fuel requirements would financial hardship for its members and possibly lead to higher fuel prices or shortages. Groups representing oil companies reportedly have put pressure on the Bush Administration to conduct an independent study of the new standards, which were put into place during the last weeks of the Clinton administration. The American Petroleum Institute and the National Petrochemical and Refiners Assn. have sued to block the fuel standards.