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Submissions Received on the Proposed Amendments to the Sulphur in Diesel Fuel Regulations

Governments


Port Moody

November 30, 2004

File: 0480-20-01

Honorable Stéphane Dion
Minister of Environment
Les Terrasses de la Chaudiere
10 Wellington St., 28th Floor
Hull QC K1A0H3

Dear Mr. Dion

Re:

Canada Gazette, Part 1, October 2nd, 2004
Public Comment Period
Draft regulations to reduce sulphur levels in diesel fuel
for rail, marine and off-road engines.

On November 23, 2004, Port Moody Council at their committee of the whole Council meeting passed the fol1owing resolution:

THAT Port Moody respond to the federal government's 60-day public input period on proposed reduction of sulphur levels in fuels and state its support for a reduction in sulphur Ievels in all fuels used in engines and further request that the timetable for implementation of this reduction be expedited.

Yours truly,


Ontario

December 13, 2004

Mr. Bruce McEwen
Head, Oil and Gas Section
Oil, Gas and Energy Branch
Environment Canada
351 St. Joseph Blvd.
Gatineau, Quebec KlA OH3

Dear Mr. McEwen:

Re: Proposed Regulation to Reduce Sulphur Levels in Diesel Fuel used for Rail, Marine and Off-Road Purposes (Construction, Agricultural and Industrial Equipment).

Thank you for providing the opportunity to review this proposed regulation which was published in the Canada Gazette for a 60-day public comment period and announced by the Honourable Stéphane Dion on October 13, 2004.

As mentioned in our earlier letters expressing our views on the approach and design of the regulation (September 2003), and on the draft proposed amendments to incorporate limits for sulphur in off-road, rail, and marine diesel fuels in the federal Sulphur in Diesel Fuel Regulations (January 2004), we support Environment Canada's intent to align with the U.S. Clean Air Nonroad Diesel Rule which was subsequently passed in May 2004; Control of Emissions of Air Pollution From Nonroad Diesel Engines and Fuels.

Since the original proposed US Clean Air Nonroad Diesel regulation did not contain sulphur limits for locomotive and marine diesel fuels, we encouraged Environment Canada to consider capping these fuels at 15 mg/kg sulphur by 2010.

However after considering substantial comments from stakeholders, the U.S. did include locomotive and marine diesel fuels in their May 2004 Final Rule. The U.S. Clean Air Nonroad Diesel Rule (Final Rule) is a two-step approach for all land-based nonroad, locomotive, and marine diesel fuel going from uncontrolled sulphur levels of approximately 3,000 mg/kg (or ppm) to 500 mg/kg in June 2007; then in June 2010, land-based nonroad diesel fuel being reduced to the final standard of 15 mg/kg; and two years later, in 2012, the cap of 15 mg/kg will go into effect for locomotive and marine diesel fuels.

In lieu of advancing the 15 kg/mg sulphur cap for locomotive and marine diesel fuels to 2010, we realize that the alignment with the U.S. is most important and are pleased to learn that there has been broad stakeholder support for your proposed regulation.

We look forward to this regulation becoming law in the near future.

Sincerely,


Montréal

Service des infrastructures, transport et environnement
Direction de l'environnement
Contrôle des rejets industriels
827, boul. Crémazie Est, bureau 302
Montréal (Québec) H2M 2T8
Téléphone (514) 280-4330 Télécopieur (514) 280-4230

Le 16 novembre 2004

Ministère de I'Environnement du Canada
Service de la protection de I'environnement
Direction générale de la prévention de la pollution atmosphérique
351, boul. Saint-Joseph, 10e étage
Gatineau (Québec)
K1A OE5

A I'attention de monsieur Bruce McEwen, chef, division des carburants

OBJET:

Commentaires sur le règlement modifiant le règlement sur le soufre dans le carburant diesel, publié dans la Gazette du Canada, le 20 octobre 2004

Monsieur,

La Direction de I'environnement de la ville de Montréal a déjà formulé des commentaires sur le document de travail sur l'élaboration d'un règlement relatif à la réduction de la teneur en soufre des carburants diesels hors route le 29 septembre 2003.

Nous sommes heureux de constater que plusieurs des recommandations que nous avions formulées ont été retenues et que le règlement proposé soit d'application simple sans programmes d'exception ou d'échanges de crédit.

Nous appuyons par la présente, la réglementation proposée qui abaissera la teneur en soufre des carburants diesels a 500 mg/kg en 2007 pour les utilisations hors route, ferroviaires et marines, a 15 mg/kg en 2010 pour les utilisations hors route et à 15 mg/kg en 2012 pour les utilisations ferroviaires et marines (maximum 500 mg/kg à la vente).

Ces réductions harmonisent la réglementation canadienne avec celle des États-Unis qui a été adoptée le 11 mai 2004 et permet l'utilisation des nouveaux moteurs qui équiperont les modèles 2011. La ville de Montréal est préoccupée par les teneurs élevées en particules fines qui sont mesurées dans I'air ambiant de son territoire et ce projet est de nature à en réduire les concentrations de même que celles d'autres polluants toxiques.

Veuillez agréer, Monsieur, l'expression de nos salutations distinguées


Yukon Environment

November 29, 2004

Bruce McEwen
Chief,
Fuels Division,
Air Pollution Prevention Directorate,
Environmental Protection Service,
Department of the Environment,
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0H3

Dear Mr. McEwen:

Re: Proposed Amendments to the Federal Sulphur in Diesel Fuel Regulations

Please accept the following as Government of Yukon's comments with respect to the proposed amendments to the Sulphur in Diesel Fuel Regulations that limit the sulphur content of off-road, marine and rail diesel in Canada.

The Yukon government fully supports the proposed amendments to these regulations as a means to helping address air quality and the protection of human health in Canada and we are committed to their full implementation.

However, the Yukon asks for parity such as was afforded to the NWT and possibly other jurisdictions (to accommodate annual re-supply logistics to remote communities) in the passing of the Sulphur in Diesel Fuel Regulations in 2002.

Specifically the Government of Yukon is requesting that it be allowed minor flexibility be built into the interim period between 2007 and 2010. This request is being put forward because there is an opportunity for a small Yukon based company to process Yukon crude oil into off road diesel solely within the Yukon.

The company anticipates that facility startup would be able to meet the 500 mg/kg requirement most of the time but cautions that there may be times during its initial start up phase when the sulphur content in their product may move up slightly to about 750 mg/kg. They fully intend to meet the 2010 limit of 15 mg/kg by investing in a large capital upgrade to their plant. You have our assurance that the Yukon would expect this in consideration of any project proposal in support of establishing this facility.

This would be of benefit to the Yukon in many ways; notably through job creation, business opportunities and economic growth. However, equally important, is the environmental benefit of considerably reducing green house gas emissions currently created during the transportation of diesel into the Territory from southern producers.

As well, this proposed facility would also be able to recycle Yukon's waste lube oil which is presently being incinerated. This again would contribute to Yukon's efforts and commitment to reduce our GHG emissions even further.

Again, the Yukon feels that being slightly flexible in the interim phase of these regulations would be of great long term economic and environmental benefit to the north and we therefore respectfully request that the regulations and associated sulphur limits be modified such that off-road diesel produced within the Yukon be permitted to reach 750 mg/kg during the interim period between 2007 and 2010.

Yours truly,

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