Trucking Skeptical of EPA Diesel Rules

The Environmental Protection Agency’s new rules on diesel were met with skepticism Thursday by the trucking industry and frustration by the refining industry.

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The rules apparently do not tackle the growing trend toward specialized fuels in different parts of the country, Walter B. McCormick Jr., president of American Trucking Associations, said.

ATA noted that the final rules differed from the agency's proposal. The new 15 parts per million sulfur fuel will be phased in over a four-year period for on-road diesel engines. In 2010, all on-road diesel fuel must comply. The nitrogen oxide standards are phased in at a different rate than proposed.

The phase-in process is being met with some dismay. The National Association of Fleet Administrators said additional storage tanks and equipment would be needed because of the phase-in. For government fleets especially, the same equipment – storage tanks and nozzles – is used to refuel light, heavy and off-road diesel-powered equipment.

Misfueling and damage to engines – and pollution control equipment – could result, the fleet managers said.

But the rules may affect the refining industry even more than trucking, and the National Petroleum Refiners Association called them “fatally flawed.”

NPRA said the rules could result in a 12% national shortfall of diesel supplies, with potentially larger shortfalls in certain regions. The Rocky Mountain region could have 37% shortages. Price increases of up to 50 cents a gallon could result, NPRA said.

The American Petroleum Institute said EPA’s phase-in would not help -- indeed, it could make matters worse. It is harder for the distribution and refining system to handle two different types of fuels, API said.

Environmentalists praised EPA’s plan. The Natural Resources Defense Council called it equivalent to removing 13 million trucks from the roads. Particulate matter currently emitted by diesels has been linked to increased asthma attacks, other respiratory problems and cancer, NRDC said.

Even a truck maker sang praises of EPA’s rules – International Truck and Engine said it has the technology to comply, as long is ultra-low sulfur fuel is available.

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