Statement Regarding the Announcement of the Final Rule for Diesel Engines Used
in Marine and Locomotive Applications
WASHINGTON, March 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Allen Schaeffer, executive
director of the Diesel Technology Forum, issued the following statement
regarding EPA's final rule announced today covering locomotive and marine
engines:
"Today's final rule marks yet another milestone in the clean diesel success
story. EPA's new emissions standards for marine and locomotive engines are
based on the same systems-based approach that is proving successful as
implemented in 2007 for on-highway trucks and off-road machines and equipment:
cleaner fuels, advanced clean diesel engines and high-efficiency emissions
control technologies working together to dramatically reduce emissions.
"The final rule establishes new lower emissions standards for new engines and
sets requirements for modernizing and upgrading existing and remanufactured
engines. The new limits for nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM)
will be technologically challenging and likely require the use of advanced
emissions control technologies such as diesel particulate filters and
NOx-control technology.
"Meeting EPA's new emissions standards will be no simple task. In addition to
their broad size range, these engines offer additional complexities and
challenges due to their unique operating conditions as well as space and
safety considerations, particularly for marine applications. This will require
applying technologies and lessons learned from the on-highway and off-highway
engine market. The use of ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel and the
development of emissions control technology will be critical for success.
"Thanks to their unique combination of power density, reliability and
economical operation, diesel engines are the power behind the nation's work
boat and marine diesel industry and railroad locomotives. They power fire
boats, tug boats and barges that serve ports around the world. These engines
produce the equivalent of several thousand horsepower to move massive
locomotives and work boats moving thousands of tons of goods, or 100 car unit
trains moving bulk commodities and consumer goods cross-country. Diesel
engines also power the nation's passenger ferry systems, such as those in New
York, which thousands of commuters use to get to work every day.
"As evidence of the industry's success in other clean diesel technology
applications, commercial trucks sold this year have 90 percent fewer emissions
of fine particles as compared to trucks built at any point in the past 18
years. It would take 60 of today's trucks to equal the emissions of a single
1988 model. The key to this success is the nationwide availability of
ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel, which according to EPA now comprises 90 percent
of highway diesel in the U.S.
"Recent projects have demonstrated the feasibility of modernizing and
upgrading some of the existing marine and locomotive applications with cleaner
fuels, more modern engines with advanced combustion technology and advanced
exhaust after treatment technologies."
More information about the EPA's proposed rule can be found at
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/.
The Diesel Technology Forum is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising
awareness about the economic importance and environmental progress of diesel
engines and equipment. Forum members represent the three parts of the modern
clean diesel system: advanced engines, cleaner diesel fuel and effective
emissions control systems.
For more information, visit http://www.dieselforum.org.
SOURCE Diesel Technology Forum
Katie Stack, +1-202-289-2001, for the Diesel Technology Forum
