Diesel Industry Statement on EPA Proposed Rule for Stationary Electric Power Generators

WASHINGTON, June 30 -- Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum, issued the following statement in advance of a proposed rule being issued today by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reduce emissions from diesel-powered stationary electric power generators:

"Diesel technology has been on a path of continuous improvement for over a decade. Since 1994, engines have been manufactured to operate smoke-free, and tailpipe emissions from trucks and buses sold today have been reduced by more than 80 percent compared to engines built in the late 1980s. Beginning in 2007, these on-highway diesel engines will produce near-zero emissions thanks to clean fuels and advanced engine technologies that will result in a 99 percent reduction of particulate matter (PM) emissions and an 87 percent reduction in nitrogen oxides (NOx) from current levels. Similarly, EPA rules issued last year for off-road machines and equipment like those used in construction, farming and mining will cut key emissions in that sector by more than 90 percent starting in 2008. It only makes sense that we continue diesel's environmental and technological progress with these stationary engines as well.

"Diesel-powered electric generators play a unique and critical role in protecting public health and safety, often saving lives during a power crisis. No other power source can be up and running within 10 seconds of a power outage, helping protect critical data, security and communications systems. When much of the Northeast lost power in August 2003, diesel standby generators were up and running within seconds of the outage, providing a reliable and safe source of power for critical systems such as airports, hospitals, 911 emergency response, financial markets, nuclear power plants, drinking water treatment systems, the national news networks, and even the Statue of Liberty.

"The diesel industry is firmly committed to continuous progress and a cleaner environment. We see this proposed regulation as an opportunity to continue the application of the clean diesel system to yet another category of diesel engines and equipment, and look forward to working with EPA to bring these new standards to life beginning in 2007."

The Diesel Technology Forum represents manufacturers of diesel engines, fuel and emissions control systems. It brings together the diesel industry, the broad diesel user community, civic and public interest leaders, government regulators, academics, scientists, the petroleum industry and public health researchers to encourage the exchange of information, ideas, scientific findings and points-of-view to current and future uses of diesel power technology. For more information about the Forum, visit our web site at www.dieselforum.org.