OTTAWA — The Canadian Environmental Protection Act is being amended in order to bring down sulfur content in off-road diesel engines starting in 2007.

Published in the Canada Gazette Part II last week, the proposed Regulations Amending the Sulfur in Diesel Fuel Regulations, require standard petroleum diesel as well as biodiesel importers to bring down the sulfur concentration in fuel imported for off-road diesel engines to 500 mg/kg starting June 1, 2007 until May 31, 2010. After that, sulfur levels must be cut further to 15 mg/kg. Retailers will have an extra four months to comply. Off-highway diesel sold in Canada must ensure a 500 mg/kg standard by October 1, 2007, and a 15 mg/kg level after September 30, 2010.

A small exception has also been made for northern suppliers. They will have until Dec. 1, 2008 to comply with the 500 mg/kg rule, and 15 mg/kg after Nov. 30, 2011.

Canada has already mirrored US Environmental Protection Agency’s Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel regulations requiring diesel in highway engines to contain no more than 15 ppm (parts per million) or 15 mg/kg of sulfur. Those rules are expected to take effect in the fall of 2006.

However, as Today’s Trucking has reported, there is a small degree of doubt among industry insiders if the ULSD fuel can be transported through the current pipeline system and still maintain a 15 ppm level by the time it reaches marketers.