In an effort to “facilitate the transition” to the ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel, EPA officials intend to push back the deadline to have the fuel available in 2006, and won’t have as strict of sulfur requirements at first.

An EPA press release said agency officials plan to issue a rule later this year.

The first action will shift the retail compliance date from Sept. 1, 2006, to Oct. 15, 2006. According to the EPA press release, this move will allow more time for terminals and retail outlets to comply with the 15 parts per million ULSD standard.

The proposed Oct. 15, 2006, deadline will now allow only two and a half months of nationwide availability before EPA-compliant 2007 engines hit the market.

Also, the rule will increase the required 15 parts per million of sulfur to 22 parts per million during the transition period.

“This action will help ensure nationwide transition to 15 parts per million ULSD before the introduction of new clean diesel trucks and buses,” according to the EPA press release.

The EPA also indicated in the press release that it would establish a test program, in cooperation with the fuel industry, to collect the data necessary to determine if the current 2 parts per million testing tolerance is sufficient.