Cat and Cummins Inc. have proposed to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency a plan that would reduce diesel engine emissions by all engine manufacturers two years sooner than EPA has proposed.

The plan challenges all engine manufacturers to voluntarily meet more stringent engine emission testing requirements in 2005 – rather than in 2007 as EPA proposed – in exchange for revised emission levels in 2007 and beyond. Estimates prepared by the industry indicate that four million fewer tons of pollution would be generated if the proposal is implemented.

"While we appreciated the opportunity to meet with Ms. Browner, we were disappointed that the EPA is unwilling to consider this plan. Unlike a proposal supported by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and two pollution program agencies, the option we presented is a national, rather than a state-by-state solution," Barton said. "It also provides the certainty that we and other engine manufacturers require as we continue to invest heavily to create the nation’s next generation of clean diesels."

Barton praised the excellent relationship established with the EPA over the last 25 years. "Jointly, we have reduced the two most critical emissions -- oxides of nitrogen or NOx and particulates -- by 90 percent each," he said. "It’s frustrating that we’ve been unable to reach agreement on a technically viable longer-term solution that binds all manufacturers to the same standards."

"We’re committed to bringing the world’s cleanest engines to market, to continue to uncover new technologies that will result in even greater emissions reductions, and to working with the EPA to find a solution," Barton said.