Caterpillar Supports Bipartisan Bill For National Retrofit Program

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Caterpillar Inc. announced its support for legislation introduced today in the United States Senate that will dramatically improve the availability of clean-diesel emissions technology for older vehicles.

The lead sponsor for the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2005 is Sen. George Voinovich (R-Ohio). Other sponsors of the bipartisan bill include Sen. Thomas Carper (D-Del.), Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.), Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.).

"This national retrofit legislation is another important component of the emissions reduction effort that will provide Caterpillar customers a more consistent national approach to retrofitting machines and engines," said Jim Parker, Caterpillar vice president with responsibility for the Power Systems Marketing Division. "As more of our customers bid on projects that include emissions requirements, this bill will help them to remain competitive and grow their businesses."

The legislation proposes $1 billion in funding over five years in the form of grant and loan programs for states and other organizations looking to take part in retrofit opportunities for diesel-powered machines and engines. In addition to bipartisan support in Congress, the diesel industry is working with environmental groups to build support for the proposal.

"The Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2005 is a good example of common sense legislation that is winning support from industry and non-governmental organizations that are working together on retrofit activities as a viable solution for reducing emissions in older diesel engines," said Fred Krupp, president, Environmental Defense.

Caterpillar is the global leader in the development of clean diesel technology and has actively supported pilot retrofit initiatives. This includes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Clean School Bus USA program, which helps school districts and school bus fleet operators either replace older buses with newer models or install emissions control devices on existing buses. In addition, Caterpillar is working with the EPA and non- governmental agencies to develop similar retrofit programs for the construction, port and on-highway industries.

"As a result of retrofits, Caterpillar customers have already removed more than 8,900 tons of nitrogen oxides [NOx] and more than 1,400 tons of particulate matter [PM] from the air," Parker said. "That's equal to having 2,250 trucks running on our nation's roads with zero NOx and PM emissions."

Caterpillar's commitment to the environment is also evident in its product development programs. Cat clean diesel engines with ACERT Technology have reduced emissions for on-highway trucks and vehicles as well as in the company's off-road machines. In fact, the company has reduced on-highway diesel emissions in trucks and buses by nearly 90 percent since 1988 and will reduce emissions another 90 percent by 2007. This summer, Caterpillar will provide hundreds of 2007-compliant truck engines to truck fleet customers so they will have the opportunity to field test this new technology well ahead of the EPA's rigorous 2007 emissions deadline.