Meeting America's diverse energy challenges with clean diesel

WASHINGTON D.C, USA -- The nation's energy leaders from all 50 states come together this week with federal officials, environmental leaders and energy experts at the 2014 National Energy Policy Outlook Conference.

The Diesel Technology Forum will be exhibiting information regarding clean diesel technology's important role in improving fuel efficiency and clean air standards throughout the U.S.

The annual conference is hosted by the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO), which represents energy officials from each state and territory to advocate the interests of the state energy offices to Congress and federal agencies.

"This week's conference includes a number of important discussions with state energy officials about the role of clean diesel power in meeting the many needs of our energy future, emphasizing energy efficiency, new environmental credentials, and renewable fuel readiness," said Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum (DTF), a Maryland-based educational group.

"As a new affiliate sponsor of the National Association of State Energy Officials, we are pleased to attend and participate in this year's conference. State energy officials are the leaders in charting the direction for each state's energy portfolio to meet their current and future energy demands - including electrical demands and supply and the mix of transportation fuels and vehicle technologies."

The Diesel Technology Forum has been playing an increasingly important role as a resource for state and federal energy policymakers in their development and consideration of energy policies and fuel strategies, ranging from renewable transportation fuels to demand response applications using diesel powered generators. The Forum's expanding role was highlighted in 2013 by DTF's testimony and participation before the California Energy Commission (CEC) in the development of an Integrated Energy Policy Report (IEPR).

"Last year we outlined to the California Energy Commission about the fuel savings and CO2 reductions from the new generation of clean diesel technology cars and heavy duty trucks in terms of real energy savings today and the potential for even greater energy savings in the future," Schaeffer said.

"With our new data and analysis for all 50 states, in the coming weeks we will release new analysis of the increasing utilization of the new fuel-efficient clean diesel technology engines in heavy duty trucks and passenger cars throughout the U.S."

New commercial clean diesel trucks in the U.S. are now using about 5 percent less fuel than previous generations and have near zero levels of other emissions, all in an effort to meet the first-ever fuel economy and CO2 standards issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). When the standards are fully implemented, oil consumption will be reduced by more than 500 million barrels, resulting in more than $50 billion in net benefits, and a reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by 250 million metric tons over the life of the new technology diesel trucks.

New Diesel Technology in Trucking, Construction, Agriculture, Marine and Railroad Result In Environmental and Energy Efficiency Gains
"Because the U.S. fleet of trucks consumes about 22 billion gallons of diesel fuel every year and the sheer magnitude of commercial vehicles operating in the U.S., this regulation has the potential to result in significant environmental and energy efficiency gains," Schaeffer said. "In addition, because diesel provides a unique technology platform which is suitable for expanded use of hybrid powertrains and lower-carbon renewable fuels, additional new technology will be coming available to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the future."

Improved energy efficiency with near zero emissions is not a technology solely limited to diesel engines in cars and heavy-duty trucks, Schaeffer said, as 2014 marks another important clean air milestone for new off-road construction machines, farm equipment and marine vessels and locomotive engines. These reduced fuel consumption through engine performance and machine efficiencies are delivering increasing benefits of productivity at the jobsite.

"Our nation is in the increasingly favorable position of being able to determine our energy future, from expanded use of domestically produced oil and natural gas to renewable energy sources such as high-quality bio-based diesel fuels. All of these fuels will be important in the future, and the diesel engine is the foundation for taking advantage of this position for energy efficient personal transportation, goods movement, construction or farming; no matter what fuel is burned or in what type of vehicle or machine using it," said Schaeffer.

About The Diesel Technlogy Forum

The Diesel Technology Forum is a non-profit national organization dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of diesel engines, fuel and technology, and working with policymakers and other stakeholders on common solutions. Forum members are leaders in clean diesel technology.

For further information on The Diesel Technology Forum, please visit their website here.