Epa Chief Salutes Low Sulfur Diesel Launch

Cummins Inc. hosted U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Stephen Johnson for a formal kickoff of the heavy-duty trucking industry’s Oct.

CP Staff

Cummins Inc. hosted U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Stephen Johnson for a formal kickoff of the heavy-duty trucking industry’s Oct. 15 nationwide switch to Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD). During the Oct. 10 visit to the Columbus, Ind., headquarters, Cummins Engine Business President Jim Kelly and Chief Technical Officer Dr. John Wall led Administrator Johnson on a tour of test facilities for a firsthand look at Cummins’ efforts to meet the 2007 diesel engine emissions standards. The company has augmented its 2004-compliant, cooled-exhaust gas recirculation technology with an exhaust aftertreatment system based on a Cummins Emission Solutions (formerly Fleetguard) diesel particulate filter.

America’s pumps are primed to deliver on President Bush’s goal of clean diesel and cleaner air, said Johnson. Over the last century, diesels have been our nation’s economic workhorse Û reliable, fuel-efficient and long-lasting. Today, through investment in clean-fuel technology, America’s economic workhorse also is becoming America’s environmental workhorse.

ULSD, which contains 97 percent less sulfur than previous diesel blends, is a critical component of efforts by Cummins and other diesel engine makers to meet stringent new EPA emissions regulations that go into effect Jan. 1, 2007. When used in combination with engine makers’ emissions-reduction technology, ULSD will result in on-highway diesel engines that produce 90 percent less particulate matter than 2004 EPA-compliant models, and reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx). ULSD is formulated for any diesel engine, potentially delivering a 10 percent emissions reduction in older vehicles.