ROI of $13 Per $1 Spent

When measured in tons per kilometer, more than 90% of the world's global trade is diesel-powered.

So the recent signing of the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act into law should help both the environment and our health. Especially since, according to the EPA, every $1 spent on DERA upgrades has resulted in $13 worth of health and environmental benefits.

The re-authorization of the DERA, which became law in 2005, sets aside $100 million annually for the next five years.

"The combination of new clean diesel technology and ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel has helped to reduce diesel emissions to near zero levels for new buses, trucks and off-road equipment. Now the older engines that continue to power our economy will also benefit from the upgraded engines and filters provided by DERA. This legislation will accelerate the introduction of even more clean diesel technology to as many of our older diesel engines as possible.," explains Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum.

The group reports that since 2006, new ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel has reduced sulfur emissions by 97%.