Off-Road Diesel Sulfur Rule Set to Begin

Refiners will begin producing low-sulfur diesel — or diesel with 500 parts-per-million sulfur — for off-road use beginning this month, the Environmental Protection Agency said.

The EPA set requirements for off-road diesel fuel in May 2004 that gradually will decrease the allowable levels of sulfur in fuel used in marine vessels, locomotives and other off-road equipment.

Under the regulation, terminals will have to carry low-sulfur diesel by Aug. 1 and retailers by Oct. 1.

EPA said refiners will have to produce ultra-low-sulfur diesel — fuel that meets a 15-ppm standard — for off-road use, beginning in 2010.