Diesel Industry Available to Respond to Environmental Activist Claims on Diesel Emissions
Why: The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) is releasing a report today on the
perceived health impact of diesel emissions on cities nationwide. A
representative of the diesel industry is available to provide context
and expert counterpoint for news stories.
What: The Diesel Technology Forum is a unique non-profit organization
dedicated to promoting the economic importance and environmental
progress of clean diesel technologies. Forum members include engine
and vehicle manufacturers; diesel fuel refiners; and emissions
control and treatment system manufacturers. Allen Schaeffer is
prepared to comment on:
* Support for Retrofit -- A key omission from the CATF report is
recognition that the diesel industry actually supports many of the
group's policy goals -- including a commitment to retrofit older
diesel engines. Forum members have worked side-by-side with EPA
and states for years to advocate voluntary diesel retrofit
programs as a cost-effective way to reduce emissions and help meet
clean air standards. More than 160,000 retrofits have occurred
thanks to these and other efforts, with many additional projects
currently in progress nationwide.
* Emissions Testing -- The Forum is the nation's leading advocate of
diesel emissions inspection and repair programs at the state
level. Presently, 16 states have modern, scientifically based
diesel inspection programs that are effective in catching gross
emitters.
* Emissions Context -- When examined in context of all emissions
sources, diesel is a small part of the overall nationwide
emissions inventory. See the fact sheet below developed using EPA
air quality data for additional information.
* Environmental Progress -- The diesel industry has a record of
continuous environmental progress and commitment to cleaner air.
Today's diesel trucks and buses produce one-eighth the emissions
of those manufactured just 15 years ago. By 2007, diesel-powered
trucks and buses will emit near-zero emissions. Some categories of
off-road equipment have already reduced levels of NOx and
particulate emissions by more than 80 percent from 1996 levels;
recent standards set for off-road diesel engines will cut
emissions from farm and construction equipment by more than 90
percent.
The Forum can also recommend independent research experts who can
comment on alternative studies examining diesel's role in public
health.
When: Please call for an interview.
Get the Facts:
EPA Diesel Emissions Trends
How much do various diesel engine sectors really contribute to the
emissions inventory?
Source Category Criteria Pollutants
(measured in thousand short tons)
Carbon Oxides of Fine Particulate
Monoxide Nitrogen Matter(PM-2.5)
Total Diesel Sources 2,229 7,288 323
On Road Diesel Vehicles 1,130 3,904 111
* Heavy Duty Diesel Vehicles 1,115 3,891 109
* Light Duty Diesel Trucks 7 6 1
* Light Duty Diesel Vehicles 8 7 1
Non-Road Diesel 895 1,588 159
Marine -- Diesel 105 797 31
Rail 99 999 22
Total All Sources 120,759 22,349 7,380
Diesel as % of all Sources 1.85% 32.61% 4.38%
Criteria Pollutants
(measured in thousand short tons)
Particulate Sulfur Volatile
Matter(PM-10) Dioxide Organic
Hydro-
carbons
Total Diesel Sources 359 494 483
On Road Diesel Vehicles 127 73 225
* Heavy Duty Diesel Vehicles 125 218
* Light Duty Diesel Trucks 1 4
* Light Duty Diesel Vehicles 1 3
Non-Road Diesel 173 204 194
Marine -- Diesel 34 160 25
Rail 25 57 39
Total All Sources 24,104 15,790 17,963
Diesel as % of all Sources 1.49% 3.13% 2.69%
Table prepared by Diesel Technology Forum (http://www.dieselforum.org/) -- 03-30-04.
(Source: USEPA National Emissions Inventory -- 2003 Average Annual Emissions,
All Criteria Pollutants:
http://www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/trends/trends01/trends2001.pdf)