Diesel

05/05/2008
Why Recent Retail Diesel Prices Have Been Higher Than Gasoline Prices
In recent months, U.S retail diesel prices have averaged anywhere from 25 to more than 70 cents above the retail price for regular gasoline, according to the Energy Information Administration. Historically, diesel prices had tended to be lower than for gasoline.

Longer-term factors that have been tied to variations in gasoline versus diesel prices include the different seasonal price variations for the two fuels, and differing tax rates.

More recent factors are the strong U.S diesel demand, the relative unavailability of diesel imports, and the introduction of ultra-low sulfur diesel in 2006, which promises to improve air quality but costs more to manufacture. These factors are detailed in the PDF below:

Why Diesel Prices Have Been Higher - full report
Size: 43 KB | Date: May 5, 2008 | License: Free

API Weekly Diesel Update
The national average retail price of diesel fuel as of Monday, May 5, was $4.149 per gallon according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

U.S. Distillate Fuel Update
Size: 80 KB | Date: May 8, 2008 | License: Free

Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel is Here!
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards now require a major reduction in the sulfur content of diesel fuels and emission levels from diesel engines and vehicles. To meet the EPA standards, the petroleum industry is producing Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) fuel, a cleaner-burning diesel fuel containing a maximum of 15 parts-per-million (ppm) sulfur.

At least 80 percent of the highway diesel produced or imported is now ULSD fuel, replacing most Low Sulfur Diesel (LSD) fuel, which contains a maximum of 500 ppm sulfur. Used in combination with cleaner-burning diesel engines and vehicles, ULSD fuel is improving air quality by significantly reducing emissions. By December 1, 2010, all highway diesel fuel offered for sale must be ULSD fuel. Both ULSD fuel and Low Sulfur Diesel fuel will be available through 2010. Some retail outlets will sell ULSD fuel, others Low Sulfur Diesel fuel, and some will sell both.

Find out more by visiting Clean Diesel Fuel Alliance.

API Suggested Diesel Pump Labels

The federal requirements now in effect for producing diesel fuel with a far lower sulfur content has clearly led to many changes in the refining process, and with them have come changes in a number of API standards. API has developed a set of labels for dispensers, approved by the EPA, to provide customers with information about the applicability of the new diesel fuel.

Click on links below to view/download appropriate Fuel Labels:

API Suggested Diesel Pump Labels.

API Suggested Kerosene Pump Labels.