Additional Resources

DTF Statement Regarding the Announcement of the Proposed Rule for Diesel Engines Used In Marine and Locomotive Applications

For Immediate Release

Contact: Julie Fidler, 202-289-2001

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum, issued the following statement regarding EPA’s proposed rule announced today covering locomotive and marine engines:

“Today’s proposal marks yet another milestone in the clean diesel success story. EPA’s proposed new emissions standards for marine and locomotive engines is premised on the same systems-based approach that is proving successful in 2007 on-highway trucks and will be provided to new 2010 on-road and 2011 off-road machines and equipment: Cleaner fuels, advanced clean diesel engines and high-efficiency emissions control technologies working together to dramatically reduce emissions.

 “Meeting EPA’s new proposed emissions standards will be no simple task and will require a large development effort on the part of engine and emissions control equipment manufacturers. 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. Critical to the success will be use of ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel and the development of control technology at an expected pace. These engines already are in the queue to switch to ULSD by 2012 under an earlier EPA rule.

“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. 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. Here in the New York area, thousands of commuters use diesel-powered ferries to get to work.

“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 when compared to trucks built at any point in the past 17 years. It would take 60 of today’s trucks to equal the emissions of a single 1988 model. Key to this success is the nationwide availability of ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel, which according to EPA now comprises 90% 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. The industry looks forward to working with EPA and other stakeholders during the next steps toward a final rule.”

More information about the EPA's proposed rule can be found at www.epa.gov/otaq/