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March 21, 2000 9:35 AM, EST

The Environmental Protection Agency is expected to soon issue new rules that will severely restrict the amount of pollution that will be allowed in the exhaust of diesel engines. And the changes could result in sharp price increases and dramatically diminished supplies of the fuel.

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The proposed rule is expected no sooner than mid-April, industry analysts said, and will come after a spirited lobbying campaign by the oil industry, engine makers and environmentalists to influence EPA’s decision.

While all parties have anticipated a major tightening of federal diesel pollution rules, there have been indications lately that the EPA may adopt far more stringent standards effective in 2006 than many had expected.

At present, diesel engines may emit up to 500 parts per million of sulfur in their exhaust. The oil industry has lobbied for a standard of no less than 50 ppm, while engine manufacturers and environmentalists would like to see the standard set as low as possible.

For the full story, see the Mar. 20 print edition of Transport Topics. .