EPA Will Delay ULSD Retail Compliance Date

he Environmental Protection Agency said late Friday it would issue rules later this year that would delay the compliance date for the retail sale of ultra low-sulfur diesel next year and allow a higher level of sulfur content during a transition period.

EPA said that under the revised rules, retail outlets will have until Oct. 15, 2006, to sell the new ULSD fuel, from a previous Sept. 1, 2006, deadline.

During the extended transition period, diesel fuel meeting a 22 parts per million sulfur level will be able to be marketed as ULSD "in order to speed the transition," EPA said in a statement.

"This action will help ensure nationwide transition to 15 ppm ULSD prior to the introduction of new clean diesel trucks and buses," EPA said.

The agency also said it would establish a test program, in cooperation with the fuel industry, to collect the data necessary to determine if a current 2-ppm testing tolerance is sufficient.

The agency did not say it would alter an existing June 1, 2006, deadline for refiners to ensure that 80% of their diesel complies with the 15-ppm sulfur standard.

Some fuel companies have said they were concerned about possible contamination in pipelines, which also move other fuels with higher sulfur contents. (Click here for previous coverage.)