Diesel Direct Newsletter - December

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December 4, 2008


Hot Topics

Clean Diesel-Powered Volkswagen 2009 Jetta TDI Named "Green Car of the Year"

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The Volkswagen 2009 Jetta TDI was named "2009 Green Car Award" by Green Car Journal at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
“This award is a true milestone for clean diesel technology," said Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum. “The new generation of diesels like the Jetta TDI fundamentally changes the green technology landscape. In addition to being clean, these new cars are quiet, fun to drive and for the Volkswagen Jetta TDI, eligible for a $1300 federal tax credit for their purchase."
Read more… (http://dieseltechnologyforum.cmail5.com/t/y/l/dlijkl/tjhhgkru/t)

Policy Insider

Massachusetts Requires GHG Emissions Labeling for Cars in 2010

The state of Massachusetts will require Emission Performance Labels for all cars sold in the state beginning in the 2010 model year. The labels will be identical to those developed under California’s Low Emissions Vehicle Program. Each vehicle will be rated on a scale from 1-10 based on levels of CO2 and other emissions levels. A public hearing is scheduled for December 10 in Boston and written testimony is being accepted until December 28, 2008. More information is available here (http://dieseltechnologyforum.cmail5.com/t/y/l/dlijkl/tjhhgkru/i).
EPA Announces 2009 Renewable Fuel Requirement

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EPA announced that 10.2 percent of gasoline will have to be displaced with renewable fuels in 2009 in order to ensure the sale of 11.1 billion gallons of renewable fuels are sold according to the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. While the RFS requirement is increasing by about 23 percent - from 9 billion gallons in 2008 to 11.1 billion gallons in 2009 - the percentage requirement is increasing by nearly a third, from 7.76 percent in 2008 to 10.21 percent in 2009 due to lower anticipated consumption. EPA’s press release is available here (http://dieseltechnologyforum.cmail5.com/t/y/l/dlijkl/tjhhgkru/d).


Breaking News

Using Diesel to Paint A Mileage Masterpiece (http://dieseltechnologyforum.cmail5.com/t/y/l/dlijkl/tjhhgkru/h)
The New York Times
November 23, 2008
Letter to the Editor - Kudos to DEC for diesel emissions crackdown (http://dieseltechnologyforum.cmail5.com/t/y/l/dlijkl/tjhhgkru/k)
Albany Times Union
November 16, 2008
DTF News

How Does Clean Diesel Technology Power Your State?

DTF has developed fact sheets on the role of diesel in 10 states. Learn more about how diesel is the backbone of transportation systems, powers the state’s economy and how policymakers in the state recognize the value of clean diesel technology.
California (http://dieseltechnologyforum.cmail5.com/t/y/l/dlijkl/tjhhgkru/u) - More than 40 percent of the total containerized cargo entering the United States arrives through California ports. The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are the first and second busiest container ports in the United States and are together responsible for trade valued over $340 billion, supporting 4.7 million jobs and serving as the fifth busiest container complex in the world. California also has the second largest ferry fleet in the country, which is 94 percent diesel powered.
Florida (http://dieseltechnologyforum.cmail5.com/t/y/l/dlijkl/tjhhgkru/o) – 107 million tons of cargo were transported by rail in 2006 across 2,862 total rail miles. The Florida trucking industry is the eighth largest in the country, providing employment for over 48,000.
New York (http://dieseltechnologyforum.cmail5.com/t/y/l/dlijkl/tjhhgkru/b) - 118,000 diesel-powered machines were used by the state’s construction industry in 2007, generating $30.5 billion and employing more than 350,000 in 2007.

The Diesel Technology Forum is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting clean diesel technologies. Forum members include engine and vehicle manufacturers, diesel fuel refiners, and manufacturers of emissions control devices. For more information about the Forum, visit our web site at www.dieselforum.org (http://dieseltechnologyforum.cmail5.com/t/y/l/dlijkl/tjhhgkru/n).

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December 19, 2008


Hot Topics

Diesel Perspectives on the CARB Ruling

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The California Air Resources Board moved into new territory this month by passing two regulations aimed at trucks registered in the state and those passing through from other states and countries. In addition, for the first time the state moved to require older trucks to add emissions equipment even if vehicles met the standards when they were made.
One of the regulations will require over-the-road haulers to add aerodynamic equipment and fuel-efficient tires to their rigs beginning in 2010. It’s a part of the state’s overall plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector, a companion piece to a similar regulation affecting light-duty vehicles. A second regulation will require all trucks of more than 14,000 lb. GVW to add particulate filters by 2014 and NOx reduction technology by 2023. The regulations mark the first time fuel efficiency standards have been applied to heavy-duty trucks and the first time in-use vehicles have been saddled with additional emissions requirements. The board’s main rationale for the regulation is that it is a key part of the state’s plan to bring the South Coast (Los Angeles basin) and San Joaquin Valley areas into compliance with Clean Air Act standards.
While the new rules passed the board unanimously, one board member, San Diego County Supervisor Ron Roberts, (who had to leave before the vote was recorded) said he felt the regulations, while necessary, were not yet in a form that could be implemented fairly. Other board members also expressed reservations about how truck owners are expected to pay for the upgrades. Board member Sandra Berg said the board was “taking a leap” in assuming state funding would be able to mitigate a substantial portion of the costs of upgrading the trucks, since she noted that available money was being counted on for several programs in addition to this one. Other comments by board members indicated they recognized they were betting on funding being available in the face of a near $40 billion budget shortfall this year, as well that the technology would be available to allow truckers to meet the regulation in the future, since not much of it (such as NOx treatment technology) is on the market.
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The main opposition to the rule came from truck owners, who objected to both the timing and necessity of the regulations, citing the tough current economic conditions as a reason to either relax or delay the rules. While the board expressed sympathy and concern when several truck owners testified that their companies would probably be forced out of business, the consensus of the board was the two rules were necessary and would provide health benefits that far outweigh the compliance costs. Some modifications of the rules were made to give small companies more time to comply and staff was directed to make sure small companies had access to state grants and loans to fund upgrades.
Board member Dr. John Telles noted that when weighing health costs and benefits, the board needed to consider one of the most serious negative health impacts – when a person loses their job. The board spent a considerable amount of time discussing the flexibility in both the regulations themselves and the board’s ability to modify should they end up having a severe impact on industry. The board required ARB staff to regularly report on how the overall state economy is affecting the program and how the funding was working.
Click here for more information (http://dieseltechnologyforum.cmail2.com/t/y/l/dylutl/tjhhgkru/t).
Policy Insider

Florida Adopts California Emission Standards

Earlier this month the Florida Environmental Regulation Commission voted 6-1 to adopt California’s stricter automobile emissions standards. However the new rule must be approved by state lawmakers and federal regulators before it can take effect as planned in 2013. More information is available here (http://dieseltechnologyforum.cmail2.com/t/y/l/dylutl/tjhhgkru/i).

European Union Approves CO2 Emissions Levels for Automakers

After much debate, EU government representatives reached agreement this month on less restrictive CO2 emission levels for automobiles than originally proposed. By 2012, 65 percent of all new cars must meet a restriction of 130 grams of CO2 per kilometer, with this percentage rising to 75 percent in 2013, 80 percent in 2014 and 100 percent by 2015. Critics argue that these numbers are deceiving due to loopholes and low penalties. The program must still be approved by the European Parliament and the 27 EU countries. Visit here (http://dieseltechnologyforum.cmail2.com/t/y/l/dylutl/tjhhgkru/d) for more information.

USEPA Mandates Onboard Diagnostic Technology for all Heavy-Duty Trucks

On December 4 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a final rule mandating onboard diagnostic equipment (OBD) for all vehicles over 14,000 pounds after 2010. OBD equipment monitors the functioning of emission control components and alerts the vehicle operator to any need for equipment repair. Heavy duty vehicles under 14,000 pounds have been required to have OBD equipment since 2004. EPA’s final rule followed a federal preemption waiver for California in September 2008. The new rule is said to be consistent with California’s efforts in order to create a consistent, national set of requirements. More information is available on the EPA website (http://dieseltechnologyforum.cmail2.com/t/y/l/dylutl/tjhhgkru/h).

Breaking News

Ryder Introduces Medium-Duty Hybrid Truck (http://dieseltechnologyforum.cmail2.com/t/y/l/dylutl/tjhhgkru/k)
Environmental Leader
December 15, 2008
California's diesel truck plan (http://dieseltechnologyforum.cmail2.com/t/y/l/dylutl/tjhhgkru/u)
Los Angeles Times
December 12, 2008
Cars We Want to Drive in 2009 (http://dieseltechnologyforum.cmail2.com/t/y/l/dylutl/tjhhgkru/o)
Business Week Online
December 5, 2008
DTF News

How Does Clean Diesel Technology Power Your State? (http://dieseltechnologyforum.cmail2.com/t/y/l/dylutl/tjhhgkru/b)

DTF has developed fact sheets on the role of diesel in 10 states. Learn more about how diesel is the backbone of transportation systems, powers the state’s economy and how policymakers in the state recognize the value of clean diesel technology.

Georgia (http://dieseltechnologyforum.cmail2.com/t/y/l/dylutl/tjhhgkru/n) - Agribusiness is Georgia’s leading industry, employing approximately one in every six state residents. Valued at $4.3 billion, the state’s agricultural sector was the 12th largest in the U.S. in 2007. Diesel powered machines such as farm tractors, combines and irrigation pumps consumed about 77 million gallons of diesel fuel in 2006.

Texas (http://dieseltechnologyforum.cmail2.com/t/y/l/dylutl/tjhhgkru/p) – There are 25 petroleum refineries — more than 25 percent of the country’s refining capacity — in Texas. The state is also home to six of the top 10 petroleum refining corporations

The Diesel Technology Forum is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting clean diesel technologies. Forum members include engine and vehicle manufacturers, diesel fuel refiners, and manufacturers of emissions control devices. For more information about the Forum, visit our web site at www.dieselforum.org (http://dieseltechnologyforum.cmail2.com/t/y/l/dylutl/tjhhgkru/x).