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Ultra Low Sulfur

Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD)

Diesel Fuel: The Industry is Changing … Now !!!
Over the past several months, there has been a lot of discussion concerning the new ultra low sulfur diesel fuel (ULSD). What follows is a very simplified over-view of the regulations, product, and our plan of action.

The new ULSD is part of the U.S. EPA 1990 Clean Air Act and is intended to reduce sulfur emissions by reducing the sulfur levels in diesel fuel from 500 ppm to 15 ppm. This reduction is very dramatic and has required billions of dollars in investments by the oil refining industry.

With few exceptions, beginning October 15, 2006 the regulations require that all retailers must begin selling ULSD for all on-road use. The regulations also require the off-road implementation of ULSD by July of 2007. This new ULSD can be used in all diesel engines and heating oil applications, but must be used in all new 2007 model year engines to prevent damage to the particulate filter systems that are standard equipment on all 2007 and newer diesel engines. It is important to note that some of the 2007 diesel vehicles will have 2006 engines.

The EPA has warned the industry that there will be random sampling to insure that the fuel is in compliance, with stiff financial penalties for non-compliance. There is a possibility that higher sulfur off-road product will still be available. This presents a challenge for the pipeline and trucking industries in terms of residue from the higher sulfur product mixing with the ULSD.

Town & Country Co-op plans to start receiving ULSD in August. This is assuming the product is available. We will need ample time to “flush” our storage tanks and give our customers time to use up their supply of the higher sulfur fuel.

There have been some questions about the lubricity of the ULSD since sulfur does act as a lubricant. Town & Country uses an additive package in all of our premium grade products. This will provide, among many other things, enough lubricant to exceed all diesel engine manufacture’s specifications.

If you have or plan on having a 2007 diesel vehicle (with a ’07 engine) by this fall and are concerned about how fast you can use the fuel in your storage tank, please call Bob Thompson @ 1-419-651-9070 and we can talk about your options. If you do not plan on buying a 2007 diesel engine by the end of this year ...you have no worries. Remember, some of the 2007 diesel vehicles will have ’06 engines. All of the tanks and pipelines should be converted over to ULSD by year-end.

Town & Country is working hard to make sure this change is as easy as possible for all of our customers. Thank you for your understanding with this national industry issue.

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