Chevron would accelerate non-road 500-ppm sulfur cut to 2006, include heating oil

Diesel Fuel News, Oct 27, 2003

Rather than EPA's proposed mid-2007 deadline for conversion of non-road diesel fuel to a 500-ppm sulfur limit, Chevron favors moving that deadline to mid-2006 to coincide with 20% 500-ppm highway diesel rule. Such a change would "avoid the one-year logistical disconnect between mid-2006 and mid-2007 when the distribution system would be asked to handle yet another grade of distillate fuel (i.e., 15-ppm and 500-ppm sulfur on-highway fuels, plus 5,000-ppm non-road fuel, in addition to jet fuel/kerosene and heating fuel," Chevron says.

What's more, heating oil "should be included in the proposed first step sulfur reduction to a 500-ppm cap for non-road fuels." While EPA may lack legal authority, "it is within EPA's capability to facilitate a coordinated action among the affected states, which do have authority to regulate heating fuel sulfur content."