The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that diesel engine manufacturers are on target to introduce new cleaner burning engines in 2007, a significant step toward meeting future air quality regulations.
EPA met with more than 20 manufacturers over the last year and a half to review progress in introducing cleaner burning engines to meet heavy-duty diesel emission regulations that go into effect in 2007. The report, "Highway Diesel Progress Review, Report 2," is available electronically at www.epa.gov/otaq/diesel.htm.
The review indicates that in 2007 engines will be equipped with filters that reduce particulate matter emission by more than 90%. Manufacturers will begin testing prototype engines that will run on diesel fuel containing 15 parts-per-million of sulfur, which will reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by 50% and particulate matter by 90%, helping states meet Clean Air Act goals.
A statement by EPA said once the 2007 program is fully implemented, 2.6 million tons of smog-causing nitrogen oxide emissions will be reduced each year. Soot or particulate matter will be reduced by 110,000 tons a year.
