Landmark Clean Air Innovations in New Clean Diesel Technology Highlighted by California Air Resources Board & Diesel Industry Officials

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Feb. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In an event designed to showcase the major advances in clean diesel technology spurred largely due to stringent emissions standards and regulations established by the State of California and its Air Resources Board (ARB), diesel industry and ARB officials held a press conference today to highlight the key policies and events that led to the transformation of "clean diesel" technology.

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The press conference and day-long exhibition of some of the most modern clean diesel engines in the world were held outside the Cal-EPA building in downtown Sacramento.

"Today's Diesel Engines Emit About 90% Less Of These Pollutants Than When We First Started This Effort" – ARB Chair Mary Nichols

ARB Chair Mary Nichols outlined the progress and future challenges in the advancement of diesel technology.  In a video presentation to open the press conference, Nichols stated, "We've had tremendous success thanks to the willingness and ability of the industry to get creative when faced with the challenge of reducing emissions and nitrogen oxide and fine particulates."

"Today's diesel engines emit about 90 percent less of these pollutants than they did when we first started this effort," Nichols said.  "And while we still have work to do – especially in turning over the fleet of older vehicles that are out there on the roads, the fact is that we've seen actual air quality improving, especially around our ports where we first started the effort to really turn over the fleet."

ARB Executive Officer James Goldstene also participated in the press conference and discussed progress in reducing emissions.

"For the past decade, we have been setting stringent diesel engine emission and clean fuel standards," Goldstene said. "At every stage, industry has responded by developing a range of technologies that deliver cleaner diesel engines. Thanks to this progress, California is on track to reduce the health risks associated with exposure to diesel exhaust by 85 percent by the year 2020."

"Today We Come Together To Recognize a Fundamental Transformation of an Industry To A New Technology – Clean Diesel"

During the press conference, Allen Schaeffer, Executive Director of the Diesel Technology Forum, highlighted the major advancements in clean diesel technology and remembered the early days when many thought new emissions standards would lead to the end of diesel engines.

"Today we come together to recognize a fundamental transformation of an industry to a new technology –clean diesel – the most advanced diesel engines, ultra-low sulfur diesel fuels and advanced emissions control technology," Schaeffer said.

"Diesel technology plays a central role in the California economy, contributing more than $13 billion on an annual basis here. To the broader U.S. economy, Diesel technology and fuels add $483 billion in value and about 1.25 million jobs nationwide and are a high value export, accounting for $46.2 billion in exports in 2009. 

Diesel's economic importance here in California is matched only by its progress in reducing emissions and improving California's air quality."

Schaeffer noted that according to the Air Resources Board, from 1990 through 2015

• Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from heavy duty diesel trucks will have declined by nearly 74 percent; from non-road construction machines by 63 percent and 73 percent in farm equipment.
• Oxides of nitrogen – a component of ozone or smog formation—will have declined by 21 percent in heavy duty trucks, 52 percent in non-road construction equipment and 65 percent in farm equipment.

In addition, Schaeffer said that today in California, more fine particles come from brake and tire wear than from all on-road diesel engines. He added that because of these major advances, it would take 60 of today's new diesel trucks to equal the particulate emissions of just one truck made in 1988.

"Many Thought It Couldn't Be Done"

"Over a decade ago the diesel industry was challenged to fundamentally transform its technology to meet near zero emissions levels," Schaeffer said.  "Many thought it could not be done, but today proves what can happen when America's diesel engineers and equipment makers roll up their sleeves and get to work. 

"Meeting these emissions challenges has delivered tangible benefits to air quality and public health and will continue to pay dividends in the months and years ahead as more of the new generation technology replaces the old.

"But these accomplishments represented here today have also now positioned diesel as a key technology as a key player in a sustainable future here in California and around the world. 

"As you've heard the next challenges involve retaining our clean air progress while improving efficiency and lowering GHG emissions, and exploring more advanced fuels.  It's a very big challenge and is the next chapter in the clean diesel story.  Early results are encouraging – these new 2012 truck engines are not only near zero emissions but they are also up to 10 or 12 percent more energy efficient."

"What Is Beautiful About Diesel Power Has Stayed Beautiful And That Which Was Unattractive has Been Eliminated"

Jed Mandel, the President of the Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association, highlighted the regulations implemented by EPA and ARB that led to the evolution of clean diesel technology since the 1998 Clean Air Act emissions limits.

Mandel thanked ARB Chair Mary Nichols and the ARB Board "for their leadership, vision and tenacity" in working to address greenhouse gas emissions and furthering clean diesel technology advancements.

"In a changing world, what is beautiful about diesel power has stayed beautiful and that which was unattractive has been eliminated," Mandel said.  "We embrace the fuel efficiency, power, performance, reliability, durability, low hydrocarbon (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions and high torque of diesel power.  We essentially have eliminated NOx and PM emissions, minimized noise, and burn a very low-sulfur fuel."

California Is the "Birthplace of Caterpillar Innovation"

"For Caterpillar, it's fitting that we're celebrating cutting-edge technology in California as this state is the birthplace of Caterpillar innovation," said Tana Utley, Caterpillar Chief Technology Officer and Vice President of Product Development and Global Technology. "The development of our company's first diesel engine and our first diesel tractor was completed in our San Leandro, California, headquarters in the mid 1930's. Today we're marking another transformation in the industry: engines that offer our customers superior performance at near zero emissions."

"Effective Environmental Regulations Can Only Be Developed Through A Strong Partnership Between Government & Industry And That's What You See Here Today"

"Effective environmental regulations can only be developed through a strong partnership between government and industry, and that's what you see here today," said Dr. John Wall, Vice President and Chief Technical Officer for Cummins Inc. "Cummins has always been committed to working with the Air Resources Board, the EPA and with other emissions regulators to support a clear, consistent, challenging and enforceable process that recognizes the needs of business and provides incentives for companies to create innovative technologies as well as jobs in this country.

"We also recognize that these new technologies must work well in the hands of our customers. We are very happy to be here today to showcase our new technologies and products that have delivered value to the environment and to our customers.  At Cummins, that's what we call Innovation You Can Depend On."

The "New Technology Diesel – Clean Air for California" Showcase

In addition to the press conference, a special outdoor technology showcase event included numerous examples of the most modern clean diesel technology including:

• Heavy-duty truck and engine technology from Cummins Inc., Detroit™, MACK® Trucks, and Volvo Penta
• Light-duty pickup trucks from GM and a RAM with a Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel
• The most advanced emissions control technology from Cummins Inc., Donaldson, MTU, and Volvo Penta
• And the newest generation of agriculture and construction equipment from Caterpillar, John Deere and AGCO.

(Video of the press conference and diesel technology showcase will be available on the Diesel Technology Forum website on Wednesday.)

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. Forum members are leaders in clean diesel technology and represent the three key elements of the modern clean-diesel system: advanced engines, vehicles and equipment, cleaner diesel fuel and emissions-control systems. For more information visit www.dieselforum.org.

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link.
Allen Schaeffer
ProfNet - http://www.profnetconnect.com/allen.schaeffer

SOURCE Diesel Technology Forum