WASHINGTON — Much like the plan that eliminated lead in gasoline a generation ago, new rules to eliminate sulfur from diesel fuel by 2012 will be signed today by EPA Administrator Mike Leavitt.
"The result will be that the black puff of diesel smoke we've become accustomed to seeing with big trucks, construction equipment or buses will be a thing of the past," Leavitt said Monday at the White House after conferring with President Bush.
"This is a big moment in clean air history," Leavitt said.
The Environmental Protection Agency is proclaiming it as "one of the most dramatic advancements in clean air protection since the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990."
The rules Leavitt is scheduled to sign this morning will order the removal of 99 percent of sulfur from diesel fuel — and require catalytic converter-type technology to be added to new diesel engines to scrub emissions.
He also will sign new pollution standards for off-highway diesel machinery such as tractors and generators and for train locomotives and ships. New standards were ordered for on-highway trucks, buses and cars two years ago, and Leavitt said the action completes a "suite of rules" overseeing all diesel machinery.
The EPA says the new steps will reduce sulfur pollution from diesel by 90 percent, and help cut particulate pollution by 129,000 tons a year and nitrogen oxides by 7,380,000 tons a year.
"People of this country, as a result, will live longer lives, better lives and healthier lives," Leavitt said.
In fact, the EPA estimated the reductions will help prevent 12,000 premature deaths annually, 15,000 heart attacks, 280,000 cases of respiratory problems in children and a million lost work days.
"The health benefits are nearly 40 times the cost," Leavitt said.
But the costs are significant. The price of new diesel equipment is expected to increase 1 to 3 percent. The price of diesel fuel is expected to rise 7 cents a gallon because of the sulfur requirements. But it is estimated to significantly reduce engine maintenance, making the net cost an estimated 4 cents a gallon.
"There is a cost to almost all environmental improvement, but it's worth it," Leavitt said.
Leavitt was scheduled to be joined at the formal signing ceremony today not only by truck manufacturers and petroleum industry officials but also environmental groups. He said they were a key part of collaboration to reach a final rule. That could help Bush in an election year proclaim that his administration is environmentally friendly.
Leavitt noted that the administration originally planned to issue only rules now for "non-road" diesel machinery such as tractors and generators. "When we proposed this rule, locomotive and marine were not included. But the president said he wants to do the whole thing, and do it now."
Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum, said his industry praises the new rule, even though meeting it will be a challenge. He said it will result in an 87 percent reduction in nitrogen oxides." he said.
Last month, Leavitt signed rules designating 490 counties nationwide — none in Utah — as out of compliance with new, tougher ozone pollution standards, forcing each to develop specific plans and to take tough actions to clean the air.
The EPA has also issued proposed rules to reduce mercury from coal-fired power plant emissions by 70 percent. A number of environmental groups have complained that is too easy on industry and that the EPA adopted verbatim many industry suggestions.
Leavitt has ordered an investigation into how that rule was written.
E-mail: leed@dgsys.com