ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE Emissions to be cut on off-road diesel vehicles

Environmentalists usually criticize Bush for his lack of concern over pollution.
WASHINGTON POST
WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration announced tough new rules Monday to curb harmful emissions from off-road diesel-powered vehicles, pleasing environmentalists after brokering a compromise with industry on deadlines.
Off-road diesel-powered vehicles, such as bulldozers, tractors and irrigation equipment, are among the largest sources of pollutants that scientists have linked to premature deaths, lung cancer, asthma and other serious respiratory illnesses.
The regulations, which Environmental Protection Agency director Mike Leavitt will sign today, would reduce the emissions of nitrogen oxide and other pollutants from diesel engines by more than 90 percent over the next eight years.
"This is a big deal," Leavitt said, standing outside the White House after he briefed President Bush on the matter.
"Nearly everyone will remember when we took the lead out of gasoline. We are now going to take sulfur out of diesel. The black puff of smoke will be a thing of the past."
Though the administration usually comes under criticism from environmentalists, Monday's announcement brought plaudits from members of the green community, who said the rules would protect public health by preventing deaths, heart attacks and asthma-related emergencies.
Reaction
"It's remarkable that these strong rules come from the same administration that has otherwise turned back the clock on 30 years of environmental progress," said Emily Figdor, a clean air advocate for the U.S. Public Interest Research Group.
"It's great to see science win out over the special interests for a change."
In recent years scientists and environmentalists have focused on the dangers associated with high sulfur levels in nonroad diesel fuel, which produce harmful microscopic pollution particles that invade the lungs and cause cancer, asthma and other respiratory illnesses.
EPA officials predict that within 30 years, the new regulations will prevent more than 12,000 premature deaths and will save billions of dollars annually in hospital and medical costs as well as lost workdays.
The new rules require oil refiners to reduce the sulfur in nonroad diesel fuel by 99 percent from its current level of 3,400 parts per million to 500 parts per million in 2007 and to 15 ppm in 2010.