EPA to Extend ULSD Retail Sale Date by 45 Days

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he Environmental Protection Agency said late Wednesday that it would extend by 45 days the deadline for terminals and retail outlets to comply with ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel requirements next year, to Oct. 15, 2006.

EPA said the move was to help the transition to ULSD’s 15 parts per million sulfur standard, set to take effect next year in advance of stricter 2007 diesel engine standards.

During the extended transition period, diesel fuel meeting a 22-ppm sulfur level can be marketed as ULSD at the pump.

EPA said it granted the extension because some in the fuel-distribution industry indicated that on the current schedule, ULSD may not be available at a small number of retail outlets.

The agency said it does not expect to adjust the schedule again and the extension does not affect the start date for refineries to be producing ULSD fuel.

The impacts of the recent Gulf Coast hurricanes were not a factor in the decision, EPA said.