| Oil companies begin producing
cleaner diesel fuel June 2 -- Oil companies as of June 1 had to begin producing ultra low sulfur diesel fuel, which contains 97 percent less sulfur than the government permitted in traditional diesel fuel. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requirement reduces sulfur content from 500 parts per million to 15 parts per million. The government estimates the change, once fully implemented, will enhance environmental protection and annually prevent nearly 8,300 premature deaths and tens of thousands of cases of respiratory ailments. The new low sulfur fuel allows car, bus and truck manufacturers to install advanced pollution control technology on their vehicles, which will reduce tail pipe emissions by as much as 95 percent, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council, an environmental advocacy group that endorses the plan.
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