States to Delay Diesel Lubrication Standards

any states that use ASTM International guidelines have decided to delay implementation of a ruling that would require, effective Jan. 1, a minimum amount of lubricating qualities in diesel fuel, industry officials said.

Petroleum industry officials and a trucking industry lawyer speculated that if the standard were to not be delayed and to gain wide acceptance quickly, it could cause disruptions in supply and further increases in the already high price of diesel fuel.

ASTM had considered, but did not issue, a nationwide delay of the lubricity standard to give fuel terminals time to install equipment to inject the additives into diesel fuel. Several major pipeline operators in October said they would not carry diesel that contains the additives.