Think Green Live Clean

You know deep down that the environment still has a fighting chance when a 2010 Super Bowl commercial features ‘green police’! And what a hilarious commercial it was! Better make sure you always bring your reusable bag with you from now on or the ‘green police’ might be tackling you from behind.

The commercial did a great job of advertising Audi’s new A3 TDI that runs off of ‘clean diesel’. However, if you are like many of us, you may be wondering what in the world is ‘clean diesel’? Sounds kind of like a newly discovered fossil fuel that is somehow cleaner right?

Well, unfortunately it’s not. Although many gas stations have been transitioning to a cleaner burning diesel fuel that contains much lower sulfur content, known as Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD), the term ‘clean diesel’ is a bit misleading. ‘Clean diesel’ more accurately refers to new engine and emission control technology used to burn diesel fuel. The exhaust from standard diesel burning autos contains many pollutants that adversely affect human health and the environment. However, newly developed and innovative diesel engine and emission control technology will greatly reduce harmful tailpipe emissions. The combination of ULSD fuel, which will not be fully available until 2012, and ‘clean diesel’ technology will definitely help to reduce diesel related pollution but won’t eliminate it.

To learn more about ‘clean diesel’ visit the EPA’s website.