The American Petroleum Institute (API) Monday became the second trade group to sue EPA over controversial low sulfur diesel rules.
API asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to overturn EPA''s rule two weeks after the Bush Administration said it planned to carry out the plan, which was finalized in the last two weeks of the Clinton Administration.
Last month, the National Petrochemical and Refiners Association (NPRA) filed a lawsuit, saying it believed that "the Clinton Administration failed in its duty to fashion a rule that balances energy supply concerns with environmental objectives."
API also wrote EPA Administrator Christie Whitman urging her to reconsider her action.
"As promulgated, this rule will significantly impact refiners and consumers," API President Red Cavaney wrote in the letter. "To make this important rule a success we urge EPA to consider changes that will reduce inordinate costs and lessen the serious potential for supply shortfalls."
Both lawsuits will likely be combined and considered together by the court.
Both NPRA and API said the EPA standard of 15 parts per million (ppm) of sulfur in diesel by 2006 is not a cost-effective way to reduce air pollution.
Environmental groups argue health risks associated with diesel fuel emissions justify the cost and that industry has a long lead time to adjust to the new standard.
by Virginia Sutcliffe
About the Author
EHS Today Staff
EHS Today's editorial staff includes:
Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeek, EHS Today, Material Handling & Logistics, Logistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.
Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.
Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor: Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.