Air Quality Division

Community Transportation Initiative (CTI)

CTI...a community private/public partnership promoting responsible
clean air transportation choices invites you to the

Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) Roundtable

 School bus Diesel truck

As formal implementation of new EPA emission standards for heavy duty vehicles and urban bus fleets begins, there are still concerns and questions about the transition from Low Sulfur Diesel to Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD).

In order to effectively address concerns and help promote a smooth transition to ULSD, the Broward County-based Community Transportation Initiative (CTI) organized a ULSD Roundtable.

The Roundtable was held on Friday, August 4, 2006.  Below are some of the presentations and information made available at the roundtable.   

Available for Download

School Bus

· CTI ULDS Roundtable -- August 4, 2006 -- wma

· 2007/2010 Federal Emissions Standards Update -- Bob Stanton, Polk County Fleet Management -- pdf

· Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Discussion -- Rick Eaton, TransMontaigne Product Services -- pdf

· ULSD Roundtable Discussion  -- Matthew Curran, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs -- pdf


The New EPA Requirements for Highway-Diesel Fuel will be Predominantly Implemented by Mid-2006

   vBy June 1, 2006, refiners and importers nationwide must ensure that at least 
        80% of the volume of the highway diesel fuel they produce or import is ULSD 
        compliant.

  vDiesel fuel classified as ULSD must reach distributing and marketing points 
        downstream from refineries (i.e., pipelines, distributors, terminals and 
        transporters) by September 1, 2006 (July 15, 2006 in California).

  vULSD fuel is expected to be available at many retail locations by October 15, 
        2006 (September 1, 2006 in California).

  vDiesel fuel classified as Low Sulfur Diesel may still be sold at retail locations
        outside of California between October 15, 2006 and December 1, 2010.

  vDiesel-powered engines and vehicles for the 2007 and later model year are
        designed with advanced emissions control systems and to operate only with
        ULSD fuel.

source: www.clean-diesel.org - ULSD brochure


·  What is the current implementation status?  ·  How far downstream has the implementation progressed; is it a smooth transition?  ·  How does this transition impact fleets that use diesel on a daily basis in terms of availability and cost?    ·  What needs to be done to the fueling infrastructure?   ·  What are the new engine requirements, projected maintenance and costs?  ·

Diesel truck

To answer these questions and others, the Community Transportation Initiative (CTI) pulled together a broad-based table of experts to provide the audience with current information regarding ULSD.  The Roundtable was moderated by Steve Reich, Program Director of the University of South Florida Center of Urban Transportation Research - Transportation Program Economic Evaluation and Analysis, and Principle Investigator of Fuel Options for Florida’s Mass Transit (a study analyzing current alternative fuel transit applications, comparing and contrasting applications with ULSD fuel).

Roundtable participants included the following experts who presentes current information and answered questions from the audience:

  • Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Chief of Bureau of Petroleum Inspection - Dr. Matthew Curran
  • TransMontaigne Product Services, Executive Vice President Product Services - Rick Eaton (invited)
  • Cummins Power South, Director of Bus Business - John Gant
  • Polk County Florida Board of County Commissioners, Director Fleet Management & Past President of Florida Association of Governmental Fleet Administrators - Bob Stanton
  • Florida Department of Environmental Protection Air Resources Environmental Specialist & Coordinator / Founder of the Southeast Air Coalition for Outreach - Bruce Offord

Diesel truck

School bus     Documents available in Portable Document Format (PDF), requires a reader to view them. You may need to obtain Adobe Acrobat Reader, at no cost, to view and print this publication. Please follow the installation and browser configuration instructions provided by Adobe. This is a one time process.