WEST POINT, Vir. — U.S. President George W. Bush recently got his first glimpse of a 2007 Cat C13 engine with ACERT technology during an event at which he was touting his energy policy.

Caterpillar officials say Bush was impressed with the new low-emissions engine technology, and Bush’s comments reflected that.

“Today I saw a diesel-powered truck that can get up to 30 per cent better fuel economy than gasoline-powered vehicles, without the harmful emissions of past diesels,” Bush said. “I mean, the fellow got in the truck and cranked it up, and another man got on the ladder, and he put the white handkerchief by the emissions port, and the white handkerchief remained white. In other words, technology is changing the world. Our engines are becoming cleaner.”

“Caterpillar applauds President Bush for his commitment and support of clean diesel initiatives,” Caterpillar Group President, Doug Oberhelman said. “Our company has invested more than $1 billion in research and development for ACERT and other clean diesel projects to help our customers meet today’s standards, and future regulations. The 2007 emissions solution using ACERT Technology will work hand-in-hand with the Bush administration’s upcoming low sulfur diesel fuel regulations.”

Cat says it will be providing hundreds of 2007 compliant engines to truck fleets this summer so they have ample opportunity to test the new engines. The company says more than 200,000 of its 2002 compliant ACERT engines are currently on the highway, racking up more than 40 million miles per day.