Congressional Panel Told Clean Diesel Power Key to Efficient Goods Movement, Infrastructure Development & Economic Growth

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The advancements in efficiency, dependability and emission controls in clean diesel technology will ensure that diesel continues to be the overwhelming power source for trucking and global transportation for the next several decades, according to written testimony submitted today to a U.S. House transportation panel.

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The testimony to the U.S. House Highways and Transit Subcommittee was submitted by Allen Schaeffer, the Executive Director of the Diesel Technology Forum, for today's hearing titled "Improving the Nation's Highway Freight Network".  (http://www.dieselforum.org/news/dtf-written-testimony-for-the-u-s-house-hearing-improving-the-nation-s-highway-freight-network-)

"An efficient goods movement industry and infrastructure is vital to our economic prosperity and global competitiveness," Schaeffer said.  "The expanded use of clean diesel power will enable the U.S. to best move more goods using less fuel and to maintain and improve the nation's lifelines of commerce – our ports, roads, bridges, waterways and railways.

"Diesel fuel has long been the lifeblood of the goods movement industry, and thanks to its recent environmental transformation it is set to take on a greater role in the future, displacing gasoline as the number one transportation fuel in the future, according to the National Petroleum Council, International Energy Agency and ExxonMobil, among other organizations," Schaeffer said.

"Our nation is in the increasingly favorable position of being able to determine our energy future, from expanded use of domestically produced oil and natural gas to renewable energy sources such as high-quality bio-based diesel fuels.  All of these fuels will be important in the future, and the diesel engine is the foundation for taking advantage of this position for energy efficient goods movement or infrastructure development no matter what fuel is burned or in what type of vehicle or machine using it," said Schaeffer.

"Milestone Year for Clean Diesel Power for Road building and Construction"
"As we look to rolling up our sleeves and getting to work improving the nation's infrastructure, it is important to know that the tools to get that job done today are cleaner and more energy efficient than ever before.  This year marks another milestone in clean air accomplishments as most new construction machines and equipment meet the EPA clean diesel standards, making them near-zero emissions.  This is an incredible accomplishment for engine and equipment makers to have met, particularly considering the hundreds of different types and sizes of equipment," Schaeffer said.

New Diesel Technology Has Increased Efficiency & Dramatically Reduced Emissions
Highlights of Schaeffer's written testimony included the following facts:

Efficiency Advantages of Clean Diesel Technology

• Today, over 98% of heavy duty vehicles, trucks and equipment are powered by diesel.
• Unique attributes of diesel fuel make it the most energy dense transportation fuel surpassing gasoline and natural gas. The diesel engine is capable of transferring this energy density into power efficiently.
• New technology diesel engines also contribute to greater fuel efficiency. The owner of a typical Class 8 heavy duty truck that meets the 2007 clean diesel standard will save $3,500 in fuel costs each year while conserving 21 barrels of crude oil, 875 gallons of fuel and eliminating 8.9 tonnes of CO2.
• All Class 4-8 trucks on the road today deployed with new clean diesel engines save 13.3 million barrels of crude oil, 560 million gallons of fuel and eliminate 5.7 million tonnes of CO2.

Environmental Gains from Clean Diesel Technology

• Because of the introduction of ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel (ULSD) in 2006-2007, new engine and aftertreatment technologies significantly reduce many criteria pollutants including particulate matter (PM), or soot, and oxides of nitrogen (NOX), a smog forming pollutant.
• A truck manufactured in 2007 emits 98 percent less particulate matter and NOX relative to a truck manufactured in 1988.

Economic Importance of Clean Diesel Technology

• The manufacturing of diesel technology helps sustain 1.25 million jobs and generates $186 billion in national income in 2009, the last year for which statistics are available.
• Diesel is the primary fuel and powertrain used to move people and commerce across the country.
• Over 90 percent of the heavy duty truck fleet is manufactured in the U.S.
• One in every four engines manufactured in the U.S. is destined for overseas markets.
• $46.2 billion of diesel technology (engines, vehicles, equipment, parts and fuel) was exported representing 4.4 percent of total U.S. exports.

ABOUT THE DIESEL TECHNOLOGY FORUM
The Diesel Technology Forum is a non-profit national organization dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of diesel engines, fuel and technology, and working with policymakers and other stakeholders on common solutions.  Forum members are leaders in clean diesel technology.  For more information visit www.dieselforum.org.

For the latest insights and information from the leaders in clean diesel technology, join us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter @DieselTechForum, or YouTube @DieselTechForum and connect with us on LinkedIn.     

(View this press release online here.)

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Allen Schaeffer
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SOURCE Diesel Technology Forum