Cummins Reaffirms Its Commitment to Meet 2002 Emissions Requirements
In meetings with EPA officials, representatives of Cummins Inc have confirmed Cummins' commitment to meet the deadline to produce lower emissions engines as outlined in a consent decree Cummins signed in 1998. Four other engine manufacturers also signed similar consent decrees.
Cummins is prepared to meet the lower standards in accordance with the consent decree. These lower standards will result in an additional 38% reduction in oxides of nitrogen emission compared to current emissions standards for Cummins’ on-highway diesel engines.
"We have invested considerable resources to meet our commitments, and are confident that our development of emissions control technologies, coupled with our OEM partnerships, will allow us to provide a reliable, durable product that contributes to a cleaner environment," said Tim Solso, Cummins Chairman and CEO.
Cummins announced in March that it had achieved a milestone in the development of cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) technology, which the company believes to be the only feasible technology for meeting the October 2002 emission requirements. Using such technology, Cummins achieved a 2% improvement in fuel economy in its midrange engines compared to current product, reduced NOx emissions by 50%, and reduced the time needed for unaided cold starts by 80%.
Cummins says that no other currently available option can achieve the required emissions reduction by late 2002 while improving fuel economy, engine responsiveness and performance, and holding costs to a minimum.
