Diesel Technology Forum Lauds EPA's Voluntary Retrofit Program Success

    WASHINGTON, Jan. 26 An "unqualified success" -- that is
the term being used by Diesel Technology Forum executive director Allen
Schaeffer to describe the commitments toward EPA's Volunteer Diesel Retrofit
Program that has surpassed the 10,000 engine mark.  The program helps identify
owners and operators of diesel construction equipment and heavy-duty vehicles
for application of exhaust retrofit equipment that reduces diesel engine
emissions.
    "The clean diesel retrofit challenge was announced with the enthusiastic
support of the Forum last spring," Schaeffer said.  "We are especially proud
to have partnered with EPA to help it surpass its very ambitious goals well
ahead of schedule. This accomplishment is of special significance to the
Forum, which made its public debut alongside EPA when the retrofit challenge
was issued."
    Working together, EPA, fleet operators, manufacturers of diesel engines,
emission control manufacturers, and fuel suppliers took up the clean diesel
challenge and have exceeded all expectations.  The EPA worked as a catalyst to
assist fleet operators, air quality planners, retrofit manufacturers and state
and local governments to create local retrofit programs.  These programs
included a variety of diesel applications including heavy-duty trucks, transit
and school buses, construction equipment and marine engines.
    "This effort demonstrates the great promise of clean diesel technology for
the existing fleet," Schaeffer said. "We are attacking the emissions
challenges on both ends -- new engine and fuel standards for the future and
now a successful demonstration of a broad range of technologies for the
existing fleet.  With catalytic systems, filters, and cleaner diesel fuel, the
industry has proven that it can significantly reduce emissions from diesel
engines already in service."
    Since the founding of the Diesel Technology Forum last year, the concept
of retrofitting existing diesel engines to reduce emissions has been a
cornerstone of the Forum's overall program to advance clean diesel technology.
The voluntary retrofit program clearly demonstrates the feasibility of
retrofit as a viable option in the battle to meet tough air quality goals.
    "Now that the EPA has successfully surpassed its initial retrofit goal, we
need to carry on with the challenge," Schaeffer said. "We will work with all
the stakeholders including air resources boards, transit and school districts
and state and local governments across the country to build on this success
and explore programs like those now in place in Sacramento, which has an
innovative incentive program to facilitate the application of these new
technologies to equipment in the region."

    The Diesel Technology Forum is the country's leading proponent of diesel
engine retrofitting as a component of a clean air quality program.  Its
efforts have been recognized through its work with the EPA and by its
appointment as a member of the California Air Resources Board International
Retrofit Advisory Panel.
    The Diesel Technology Forum brings together the diesel industry, the broad
diesel user community, civic and public interest leaders, government
regulators, academics, scientists, the petroleum refining industry, and public
health researchers, to encourage the exchange of information, ideas,
scientific findings, and points-of-view related to current and future use of
diesel power technology.
    For more information visit the forum's web site at
http://www.dieselforum.org