IP&E chief operating officer Eloy Lizama said ULSD “emits 99.7 percent less sulfur into the air than conventional diesel fuels.”
He assured consumers that the introduction of ULSD will not affect the existing costs of fuel.
ULSD will not cost more than the regular diesel just because it is a better product, he added.
“By introducing ULSD to the CNMI, we want to make a statement and to exemplify our commitment to be responsible stewards of the environment and to work with the community as it grows,” Lizama said.
CNMI area manager for IP&E Jeff Boyer said ULSD will improve engine performance by reducing sulfur deposits.
“It will also improve engine start times, reduce ‘cold start up engine knock’ and lengthen the period of time between necessary oil changes,” Boyer said.
In an interview, IP&E director of commercial business Jonathan A. Perez said ULSD should be available to the public by November or December.
“We have to conduct a series of seminars to large consumers, and later to the public, before we make it available to the public,” Perez said.
The second shipment is expected to arrive in the next 45 days, and every 45 days after.
“We look forward to the time when vehicles on island will be using ULSD,” Perez said.
IP&E had been working on supplying ULSD to the Marianas market for the past two years but this was delayed by several complicating factors such as restrictions on local storage and terminaling, availability of products, minimal purchase requirements in Singapore and Saipan’s market size, Perez added.
Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos said ULSD will help create a cleaner, healthier environment.
IP&E recently acquired the retail assets of 28 Shell outlets on Saipan, Guam and Palau, and will continue to sell Shell products under a license agreement.
For more information, call Jeff Boyer at 323-0647.
