TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NOTE
No. T-06-09
School Business Services
Contact: W. R. Schroyer
School Transportation Management Section
Department of Education
(850) 245-9795
John L. Winn, Commissioner
Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel Fuel
SC 205-9795
DATE: May 1
5
, 2006
TO: School District Transportation Directors
FROM: Charlie Hood, Director, School Transportation Management Section
SUBJECT: Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel Fuel
Transporting students efficiently, while ensuring their health and safety, is a critical component of access
to learning. Beginning in July 2006, school districts will begin to experience the phasing in of Ultra Low
Sulphur Diesel (ULSD) fuel. The transition to ULSD is to comply with the requirements of Title 40 CFR
Part 80, requiring manufacturers to reduce airborne particulate emissions from diesel-powered vehicles.
With this upcoming transition, a number of questions have arisen. This Technical Assistance Note
answers frequently asked questions about the transition to ULSD.
1.
Q. When will the change to ULSD occur?
A.
?
“Diesel fuel meeting the new specification will be required at terminals by September 1,
2006, and at retail stations and wholesalers by October 15, 2006.”
1, 2
2.
Q. Will this new fuel cost more?
A
.
The U.S. Department of Energy reports that, “Some refiners may be able to produce ULSD at
a cost of about 2.5 cents more per gallon; however, at the volumes needed to meet demand,
costs are estimated at 5.4 to 6.8 cents more per gallon, and they could be higher if supply falls
short of demand and consumers bid up the price.” Additionally, the Department of Energy
reports that companies “[that operate] oil pipelines will incur large incremental capital and
operating costs in distributing the new diesel fuel.”
1
1
“The Transition to Ultra-Low-Sulfur Diesel Fuel: Effects on Prices and Supply,” U.S.
Department of Energy, Washington, DC, May 2001
2
40 CFR Part 80
Technical Assistance Note T-06-09
May 1
5
, 2006
Page Two
3.
Q.
?
When will I have to have ULSD?
A.
?
Although current diesel engines could continue to operate on the current higher sulphur
diesel fuel, the engines that will be produced starting January 1, 2007,
must
use ULSD.
The particulate traps attached to some of these engines may plug up quickly if operated
on fuels containing more than 15 parts per million (ppm) of sulphur. The current 500-
ppm diesel fuel will continue to be available through certain channels, but only in limited
quantities and mostly for off-road, marine, and locomotive use.
4.
?
Q. Will I have to clean out my stationary and mobile storage tanks before switching to
ULSD?
A.
?
No. Assuming that you make the switch by October 2006, or at least several months
before delivery of vehicles requiring ULSD, you should not have to clean your storage
tanks. By the time your district receives vehicles requiring ULSD, use of ULSD should
have purged any remaining higher sulphur fuel from your system. You may wish to test
the fuel at your pumps about a month in advance of receiving buses or other vehicles
with 2007-certified diesel engines to ensure that all higher sulphur diesel fuel has been
purged.
5.
Q.
?
How will ULSD affect my current diesel-powered fleet and support equipment?
A.
?
Generally, the newer the engine, the less the effect on the fuel system. Conversely, some
older engines in the fleet may experience leakage and failure of fuel system related seals.
They may also experience injector pump problems related to the potential lower lubricity
of the fuel, although the newest American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
diesel specification requires all diesel fuel to meet a minimum lubricity specification.
Fuel providers will automatically use lubricity additives for ULSD, because they cannot
meet the requirements without an additive. Some of the reduced lubricity of ULSD may
be mitigated by running a five percent mixture of biodiesel (B5) in the fuel. In areas
where additives are injected at the fuel terminal rack, you may have the option of
specifying biodiesel as the lubricity additive. If you decide to use biodiesel, be aware
that it has a detergent effect that will clean your fuel system. The side effect of this
cleaning may be premature failure (plugging) of the fuel filter. Normally, this is
experienced only once in the conversion process.
6.
?
Q. Is there anything else I need to know if I decide to use a biodiesel mixture in my
diesel-powered vehicles?
A.
?
Yes. All diesel engine manufacturers have approved the use of biodiesel up to a
concentration of B5. Some manufacturers have indicated that anything up to a B20
mixture is acceptable, but no manufacturer has officially approved it, since the ASTM
has not yet published an official specification for B20. Additionally, concentrations
above B5 may cause fuel gelling in extremely cold conditions (below freezing).
Technical Assistance Note T-06-09
May 1
5
, 2006
Page Three
7.
Q.
?
Will ULSD be available during and after a natural disaster like a hurricane?
A
.
Currently it is not possible to answer this question. Like any motor fuel, it is possible
that ULSD will be in short supply after a disaster. We recommend that you take steps to
ensure that your district has an adequate supply of ULSD prior to any foreseeable
emergency, such as a hurricane.
8.
?
Q. My district does not have fuel tanks of its own, but relies on outside contractors to
provide fuel. What steps should I take?
A.
?
You should ensure that your contract requires your provider to provide your fleet with
ULSD well in advance of receiving vehicles that require it. If needed, the provider
should test and certify the fuel on an ongoing basis to ensure that levels of sulphur above
15 ppm or other contaminants are not introduced into your fuel.
9.
?
Q. Where can I find the documents referenced in this Technical Assistance Note and
additional information?
A
.
?
The following is a list of links to other resources on ULSD:
http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/servicerpt/ulsd/pdf/ulsd.pdf#search='ULSD
http://www.chevron.com/products/prodserv/fuels/diesel/ulsd.shtml#A2
http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/servicerpt/ulsd/chapter5.htm
http://bulktransporter.com/mag/transportation_ulsd_fuel_may/
http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_05/40cfr80_05.html
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/regs/hd2007/frm/f00057.pdf
http://www.epa.gov/EPA-AIR/2005/November/Day-22/a22807.htm
WRS
cc:
?
School District Superintendents
School District Fleet Service Managers
Charter Schools