COURT AFFIRMS HISTORIC DIESEL TRUCK CLEAN AIR PROGRAM

(3 May, 2002 — Washington, D.C.) Environmental Defense today praised a unanimous ruling by a three-judge federal court of appeals panel that affirms an historic clean air program to slash noxious air pollution from large diesel trucks and buses in communities across the country.
 
“The court’s action today clears the way for EPA to implement new clean air standards that will dramatically lower air pollution from large diesel trucks and buses,” said Environmental Defense senior attorney Vickie Patton. “These new standards for large diesel trucks and buses are one of the single most important steps that can be taken to produce cleaner air in communities across the country.”

The court rejected challenges to the engine and fuel standards brought by a number of interests including the Engine Manufacturers Association, the National Petrochemical and Refiners Association, and the American Petroleum Institute.

The court’s ruling upholds rules established by U.S. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) in 2001, that dramatically tighten particulate and nitrogen oxides emission standards for vehicles beginning in model year 2007. Requiring the use of cleaner low-sulfur diesel fuel will also aid the clean air technology needed in buses and trucks in order to meet the new emission standards.

Clean Air Benefits. Large diesel trucks and buses emit about 2.6 millions tons of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and about 130,000 tons of inhalable particulates each year. Numerous public health organizations, both in the U.S. and worldwide, have determined that diesel exhaust or the particulates in the exhaust are a potential or probable human carcinogen. Nitrous oxide (NOx) emissions also have harmful effects, contributing to unhealthy smog levels in communities across the country, acid rain in sensitive ecosystems, and pollution of premier coastal fishing and recreational waters. Cleaner Highway Diesel Fuel a Technology Enabler.

Cleaner highway diesel fuel that is low in sulfur content is a critical component of EPA’s emission standards. EPA’s rules limit the sulfur levels in highway diesel fuel to 15 parts per million, beginning in 2006. Previously, the allowable sulfur content for highway diesel fuel was 500 parts per million, and the actual average levels are about 340 parts per million. High sulfur levels can seriously impair the new pollution control devices necessary to remove pollutants from the diesel exhaust stream at high control efficiencies.

Environmental Defense, a leading national nonprofit organization based in New York, represents more than 300,000 members. Since 1967 we have linked science, economics, and law to create innovative, equitable, and cost-effective solutions to the most urgent environmental problems. www.environmentaldefense.org