Introduced by Sen. Telo Taitague, Bill 414, now Public Law 30-184, will require that all diesel fuel sold and distributed on Guam meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards.
According to EPA standards, diesel fuel must contain less than 15 parts per million of sulfur content.
Taitague said the passing of the ULSD law is a milestone for Guam’s environment and its economic sustainability.
“It brings health benefits to our island. You won’t see a lot of that black smoke from large buses anymore,” she said.
The senator added Guam will be able to obtain a newer fleet of school buses and ambulances without the worry of repair bills.
Because of the higher sulfur diesel fuel, Taitague said three of the last five new ambulance trucks brought into Guam have broken down leaving Guam with only two new ambulance vehicles.
“It’s very important that we get on board with the rest of the world going green,” she added.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2001, all diesel imported into Guam will be required to meet ULSD standards, which has been the standard in the U.S. and parts of Asia since 2007.
However, an amendment was added to the bill earlier this month to allow for current high sulfur diesel fuel on island to be naturally depleted. A ULSD task force was established to determine the time frame in which Guam’s current stock of high sulfur diesel will be depleted.
The task force, which is comprised of key members in the transportation industry including government of Guam agencies, Guam and U.S. EPA, and local gas companies, will also further study ULSD’s impacts on the environment and in the community.
Guam EPA Administrator Bradley Dunagan said GEPA is in the process of trying to employ measures that will lower the amount of particulate airborne contaminants.
“Guam will see cleaner, healthier air; cleaner healthier water; and cleaner healthier plants and vegetables that we’re harvesting out of our grounds,” Dunagan said.
Marianas Cable Vision CEO Craig Thompson said he lobbied for the legislation of ULSD on behalf of both MCV and the Guam Hotel and Restaurant Association, of which he is a board member.
He said with the enactment of the new law, MCV will be able to provide better customer service and save thousands of dollars on repair bills.
