Caterpillar reaffirms technology path to achieve EPA non-road emissions standards

Pit & Quarry, July, 2004

Caterpillar Inc. reiterated the company's ability to meet stringent new non- road emission standards and applauded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announcement regarding Tier 4 standards.

The company will use its ACERT technology as a path to meet the EPA Tier 4 standards, which will be implemented in 2008 and reduce emissions from non-road machines by more than 90 percent by 2014. The regulations apply to clean diesel engines used in non-road construction and mining machines, as well as industrial power equipment.

"We commend the EPA for including industry input into the EPA Tier 4 regulations, and share their goals for cleaner air," says Douglas R. Oberhelman, Caterpillar group president who will soon assume responsibility for the company's power systems business.

"The Tier 4 standards are very aggressive and have required enormous research and development investment on the part of all engine manufacturers. However, improved air quality is important to all of us, and I'm pleased that Caterpillar is best positioned to meet future EPA standards with the most reliable clean diesel engine technology available in the world."

Oberhelman says Caterpillar agrees with EPA's comprehensive "systems" approach to establishing the Tier 4 rules, which not only address engine emissions, but also the important issues of cleaner fuel and engine aftertreatment technology. Caterpillar strongly supports the introduction of ultra low sulfur diesel fuel into the North American market, which is necessary for engine manufacturers to meet future EPA regulations.

These Tier 4 regulations are scheduled to be implemented for non-road diesel engines beginning in 2008, and will be completely phased in by 2014. EPA has regulated engines used in non-road applications since 1996.