Diesel Sulfur

The Environmental Protection Agency established regulations to substantially lower the sulfur levels in diesel fuels in 2001 and 2004. In January 2001, EPA issued rules that require refiners to reduce the sulfur content in highway diesel fuel by 97 percent. The sulfur content of this fuel – called Ultra Low-Sulfur Diesel, or ULSD – may not exceed 15 parts per million (ppm).

In addition, EPA’s June 2004 rules require refiners to reduce the sulfur content in nonroad diesel in progressive steps, so that by June 2014, all nonroad diesel meets the 15 ppm standard.

EPA published a marine fuel sulfur rule (75 FR 22896; 4/30/10) that includes a maximum 1,000 ppm sulfur content for distillate and residual fuel oil used in large vessels beginning in 2014 unless alternative devices (such as exhaust gas scrubbers), procedures or compliance options are used. This does not apply to steamships operating exclusively on the Great Lakes.

AFPM members continue to work to ensure that EPA’s regulations for sulfur content of diesel fuel are met or exceeded. U.S. refiners have invested more than $8 billion to meet the new diesel requirements.

Related Documents

• AFPM’s summary of EPA’s final highway diesel rule
• EPA's diesel sulfur regulations except in Alaska
• EPA's diesel sulfur regulations in Alaska

Related Web Links

• EPA information on the Heavy-Duty Highway Diesel Program
• EPA’s Tier 4 Final Rule on Clean Air Nonroad Diesel
• EPA information and guidance for compliance with the 2007 Highway Diesel Rule and the Nonroad Diesel
• The Clean Diesel Fuel Alliance is a public-private effort to facilitate the transition to ULSD fuel.
• EPA guidance documents for compliance with all diesel sulfur regulations