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 (Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel -ULSD) Regulations

General Information

 

  1. What is ULSD

Ultra Low Sulfu Diesel is defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as U.S. diesel fuel with a sulfur content not to exceed 15 ppm (parts per million). Ulsd 15, LS 500, and 5000 are designations for diesel fuels that meet 15 ppm, 500 ppm, and 5,000 ppm maximum sulfur content, respectively, as defined in the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard D975 Table 1. In different regions of the world ULSD may refer to different maximum sulfur content values, but ULSD and S15 are often used interchangeably in North America (U.S. and Canada).The 15, 500, and 5000 designations also apply to the Canadian diesel market.
 

  1. When is S15 (ULSD) required to be produced and sold?

Introduction of the new 15ppm diesel into different portions of the diesel fuel supply channel will be managed through staggered compliance dates. For North America, there are currently three ULSD implementation timelines.

United States (except California)

On-Highway Diesel Fuel

    Refinery

< 15ppm by June 1, 2006

    Terminal

< 15ppm by September 1, 2006

    Retail

< 15ppm by October 15, 2006

Off-Road / Locomotive & Marine Fuel

< 500ppm by June 1, 2007

 

California

On-Highway, Off-Road, & Fixed Equipment Diesel Fuel

    Refinery

< 15ppm by June 1, 2006

    Terminal

< 15ppm by July 15, 2006

    Retail

< 15ppm by September 1, 2006

Intra-State Locomotive / Marine Harbor Craft Fuel

< 15ppm by January 1, 2007

 

Canada

On-Highway Diesel Fuel

    Refinery

< 15ppm by June 1, 2006

    Retail

< 22ppm by September 1, 2006
< 15ppm by October 15, 2006

Off-Road / Locomotive & Marine Fuel

< 500ppm by June 1, 2007

 

Note - Canada has no regulatory compliance date for when the terminals must be transitioned to ULSD.

 

 

  1. Why is the timeline within California different than the rest of the United States?

The EPA established the federal ULSD regulations for the United States. Individual states may adopt more stringent requirements than the federal mandate.

This is the case in California. Specifically, the state is mandating a tighter timeline for the introduction of S15 at the terminal and retail level. They have also chosen to require ULSD to be used in all vehicles (e.g. both on-highway and off-road) as opposed to EPA's initial requirement that S15 must be used in only on-highway vehicles.

 

 

  1. Where is S15 (ULSD) required?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations for motor vehicle diesel fuel meeting the ULSDrequirements are applicable in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Canada's regulations for motor vehicle diesel fuel meeting S15 requirements are applicable to all of Canada.

 

<>Why is S15 (ULSD) required?

The EPA states these new regulations will significantly reduce nitrous oxide (NOx) and particulate matter emissions to the atmosphere. To attain these emission reductions the EPA has established a comprehensive program to regulate diesel fuel along with the production of diesel engines.

The regulations require

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  1. Model Year 2007 diesel engines will be required to use high-efficiency catalytic exhaust emission control devises (or comparably effective technology).
  2. On-highway diesel fuel sulfur levels be < 15ppm starting in June 2006.
  1. Where can I get additional information on S15 (ULSD)?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) web site has information covering all aspects of the Clean Diesel and ULSD program.

The EPA fact sheet contains a basic description of the ULSD program.

o        EPA Regulatory Announcement

The Clean Diesel Fuel Alliance is a group of public and private organizations that came together to help facilitate the introduction of ULSD.

o        Clean Diesel Fuel Website

 

  1. How do I know what diesel grade I am putting in my vehicle?

As part of the ULSD regulation, the EPA requires that new labels be placed on every diesel dispenser in the United States, excluding California. The label should be located near the indicator that shows how many gallons you have pumped into your diesel vehicle.

If the diesel fuel is ULSD then the label will be titled "Ultra Low Sulfur Highway Diesel Fuel". If the diesel fuel is S500 (LSD) then the label will be titled "Low Sulfur Highway Diesel Fuel"

In California, the state has mandated that ULSD be the only fuel available. Therefore, the EPA has exempted California from labeling dispenser pumps.

Please see the American Petroleum Institute (API) article, API Suggested Diesel Pump Labels for more information concerning the look and placement of the decals.

Note - The above labeling requirements only apply to the United States, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. Canada does not have dispenser labeling requirements.

  1. Which vehicles are required to use S15 (ULSD)?

All on-highway heavy-duty diesel vehicles manufactured in model year 2007 and later will be required to use ULSD - See FAQ   These vehicles will be forbidden to use diesel fuel with sulfur content greater than 15 ppm (parts per million). Some 2007 light-duty and passenger car vehicles will also require ULSD.

Vehicles not specifically designed for use with ULSD may use either ULSD or Low Sulfur 500 (500 ppm) diesel.


 

  1. Can S15 (ULSD) fuel be used in 2006-and-earlier model year engines?

Yes. ULSD is compatible with 2006-and-earlier model year diesel engines.

  1. How will diesel fuel properties, other than sulfur, change with S15 (ULSD)?

There are several diesel fuel properties other than sulfur that will change as a result of moving to ULSD.

Lubricity:

o        Lubricity is a measure of the fuel's ability to lubricate and protect the various parts of the engine's fuel injection system from wear.The processing required to reduce sulfur to 15 ppm also removes naturally-occurring lubricity agents in diesel fuel. To manage this change the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) adopted the lubricity specification defined in ASTM D975 for all diesel fuels and this standard went into effect January 1, 2005.

o        The D975 specification is based on the High Frequency Reciprocating Rig (HFRR) test (D 6079) and requires a wear scar no larger than 520 microns.



Energy Content:

o        In general, the processing required to reduce sulfur to 15 ppm also reduces the aromatics content and density of diesel fuel, resulting in a reduction in energy content (BTU/gal).

o        The expected reduction in energy content is on the order of 1% and may affect fuel mileage.



Cetane Number:

o        In general, the processing required to reduce sulfur to 15ppm also reduces the aromatics content resulting in an increase to the cetane number.

12.                       Will ULSD affect my fuel system seals?  

The "Clean Diesel Fuel Alliance," an industry group consisting of oil and gas producers, engine manufacturers, the American Petroleum Institute (API) and others, states that "engine and vehicle manufacturers are not anticipating that existing [diesel engine] owners will have to make changes to their equipment to operate [on] the new fuel.

A small number of vehicles may require preventative maintenance in the form of upgrading certain engine and fuel system seals that may not perform well in the transition to the new fuel and could leak. Studies of test fleets have indicated that fuel system leaks are not exclusive to a particular engine type, fuel type or geographic region. It is anticipated that only a small fraction of the vehicles will be affected."

A leak in your fuel system can be dangerous, potentially causing fires to occur if diesel fuel comes in contact with hot engine parts. It is recommended that you consult with your vehicle manufacturer for advice about maintaining or replacing the fuel system seals in your vehicle.

 

  1. Will S15 (ULSD) have a different color than the current S500 diesel fuel?

The color of a diesel fuel is not related to its performance. As long as the fuel meets specifications, it will perform well in your engine. The natural color of diesel fuels has traditionally varied from colorless to amber. As refinery processing of the diesel fuel increases to remove sulfur the color has tended to get lighter and the diesel can change color. When it changes color the diesel is typically light in tone and can be green, orange or pink. Sometimes it might show a slight fluorescence when held up to light. Such a change in color does not affect the quality of the diesel.

  1. Does S15 (ULSD) affect what oil I put in my engine?

Yes. The new ULSD engines operate at higher temperatures and don’t burn off soot and other particles. A new engine oil formulation, CJ-4, is recommended for 2007+ diesel engines.

Please see the following for additional information and FAQs about the new CJ-4 engine oil.


Information for Retailers, Marketers, and Commercial Customers

  1. What are diesel dispenser pump labeling requirements?

The EPA regulations require that the sulfur content of all diesel dispensers in the United States, except California, be communicated to the diesel end-users, using new dispenser labels. This includes the S15 (ULSD), S500 (LSD), and S5000 (HSD) dispensers. The EPA has defined the text for each label and provides specifications as to where the label is to be located on the dispenser. This regulation applies to any dispenser; whether it is at a retail site, commercial site, or is for company's own use.

As of June 1, 2006 each diesel dispenser (except those dispensers in California) must have a label that correctly identifies the type of diesel fuel being sold from that dispenser. Initially, for most on-highway diesel dispensers this will be the S500 (LSD) label. When a dispenser is transitioned to the new ultra low sulfur diesel fuel, the 500 (LSD) or 5000 (HSD) label must then be removed from the dispenser and replaced by an 15 (ULSD) label.

In California, the state has mandated that ULSD be the only fuel available. Therefore, the EPA has exempted California from labeling dispenser pumps.

Please see the American Petroleum Institute (API) article, API Suggested Diesel Pump Labels for more information concerning the look and placement of the decals.


2.     Is there a requirement to label ULSD storage tanks?

The ULSD regulations do not require that diesel storage tanks be relabeled to identify the product as ULSD. However, a number of suppliers recommend that storage tanks that have been transitioned to ULSD be labeled to clearly identify the tank as ULSD.