WASHINGTON, D.C. (Sept. 10, 2001) — Federal environmental regulators in the United States have denied three petitions asking the government to reconsider rules for cleaner-burning diesel engines and fuel for trucks and buses.

The American Petroleum Institute, the American Trucking Association and Mack Trucks/Volvo Powertrain each asked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to revisit the requirements enacted by the Clinton administration. They wondered whether the diesel fuel supply will be adequate and proper distribution systems will be in place.

Refiners must reduce the sulfur content of highway diesel fuel by 97% between 2006 and 2009. Trucks and buses starting with model-year 2007 will have to be equipped with engines that reduce emissions of particle soot by 90%.

Nitrogen oxide emissions from diesel engines will have to be reduced by 95% by the 2010 model year.

Transport Canada and Environment Canada have indicated that they would enact similar rules here.

EPA has estimated the rule will raise the price of new diesel vehicles by $1200 to $1900 US, and of diesel fuel by four to five cents a gallon.