In order to reduce emissions from diesel engines (PDF)

Environment Canada has established strict new emissions standards for new on-road, heavy-duty diesel vehicles and engines. Starting with the 2007 model year, compliance with these emission standards will effectively require that new heavy-duty diesel engines be equipped with the next generation of advanced emission control systems. These systems are very sensitive to sulphur levels in the diesel fuel, and cannot tolerate the levels of sulphur allowed in the current on-road LSD. Therefore, Environment Canada has established regulations to significantly lower the maximum allowable amount of sulphur in diesel fuel and thereby enable the effective operation of advanced emission control systems.”

Calgary Herald, Oct.25, 2008;

Alberta’s diesel supply crunch — expected to continue into next month — could result in a shortage of everything from produce to electronics on store shelves, warns the province’s trucking industry.

Reflecting something I was told about refinery difficulties while in the province’s southeast oil patch last week, where a shortage of diesel is forcing a slow down in activity –

“…low sulphur demands make the [refining] system more fragile to loss of output. Not only in more units but also critical paths.”

But we have a number of industry experts among our readers, so perhaps they can shed more light on this.