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VOLUNTARY DIESEL RETROFIT PROGRAM

“Partnerships for

Pollution Prevention”

Outreach and Planning GroupCertification and Compliance Division

Office of Transportation and Air Quality

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What is the Voluntary Diesel Retrofit Program?

• A voluntary program designed to install pollution-reducing technology on existing diesel vehicles and equipment

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Diesel Retrofit Partners

• The diesel retrofit program brings together a variety of partners: – owners/operators of diesel fleets– manufacturers of retrofit technologies– air quality planners in state/local governments– manufacturers of diesel engines– EPA– Diesel Technology Forum– the general public

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• Program announced in March, 2000

• Goal was to secure 10,000 commitments by the end of 2000

• Encourages retrofits for both highway and nonroad engines

Retrofit Program Background

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• Diesel Engines last a long time– Existing engines may last another 20-35 years– Diesel powered vehicles may last over a million miles

• Benefits of 2004/2007 regulations are long-term– Requirements are phased in between 2007 & 2010– Benefits are 10 to 15 years away

• Benefits from retrofits are immediate• Retrofit technology is available now

Why Retrofits Are Necessary

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• Health Reasons– Diesel exhaust contains air toxics:

• Particulate matter is a likely human carcinogen

– Respiratory Effects• Children and elderly are more vulnerable • Exhaust from idling infiltrates the indoor air

contributing to driver unrest and potential health problems

• Visibility– Diesel smoke is an eyesore

Why Retrofits Are Necessary

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• Meet calendar year 2000 goal of 10,000 retrofits:– As of 12/31/00 official count was over 13,000

• Create and encourage demonstration projects:Washington D.C. U.S. Navy Cleveland

Seattle New Jersey Boston

Houston Portland Philadelphia

• Create a retrofit Web site: www.epa.gov/otaq/retrofit

• Create a verification process for retrofit technology

Retrofit Goals: 2000

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• Calendar year goal of 100,000 retrofits

• Expand the program to address emissions and fuel savings from idling trucks

• Investigate funding options and incentives– Tax incentives at federal and state level– Continued growth of CMAQ funding – Offsets for new source review

Retrofit Goals: 2001

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• Retrofit technology can be: any change to an engine system above and beyond

what is required by EPA regulations that improves the engine’s emission performance. Examples are:

• Catalyst or filter• Engine upgrade• Early engine replacement• Use of cleaner fuels or additives• Combination of above

• Retrofit Web site maintains a list of manufacturers and verified technology

What is Retrofit Technology?

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Buy new low-emission vehicle

Repower older vehicle with newer engine

Retrofit vehicle with exhaust catalyst

Use a low-emission emulsified fuel

Retrofit Technology Examples

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• The foundation of many retrofit projects will be the fuel supply– Some technologies require Ultra Low Sulfur Fuel (ULSF)– Some technologies can operate on current fuel but can not

achieve full emission reduction potential– Generally, PM filter with ULSF achieve PM reductions over

90 percent

• ULSF is becoming more widely available throughout the country– British Petroleum, Equilon, Tosco, RAD Energy– Retrofit Web site maintains a list of fuel companies

The Role of Diesel Fuel

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Seattle Pilot - A Model to Follow

• Introduce ULSF to the Seattle, King County area for transit, school bus, government and private fleets

• Introduce retrofit devices• Partners:

EPA City of Seattle

King County Diesel Technology Forum

Detroit Diesel MECA

Cummins Engine Everett School District

Tosco Refining Puget Sound Clean Air Agency

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• Review the perspectives on the retrofit Web site at http://www.epa.gov/otaq/retrofit/overview.htm

• Contact an EPA Retrofit Team Member

How to Participate

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• Retrofit web site: www.epa.gov/otaq/retrofit

• Project Leader: Mitch Greenberg – greenberg.mitchell@epa.gov (202) 564-9269

• Technical Contact: Jim Blubaugh– blubaugh.jim@epa.gov (202)564-9244

• Outreach Contact: Gay MacGregor– macgregor.gay@epa.gov (734)214-4438

For Further Information...