It appears that those meddling government regulators at the Environmental Protection Agency may have helped make U.S. refiners more competitive in the global marketplace....In 2001, the EPA issued a rule that reduced the amount of sulfur allowed in diesel fuel by 97%, from 500 parts per million to just 15. Part of the regulations forced refineries to begin producing more of the cleaner diesel. In response, oil refiners spent billions updating their plants with the necessary equipment, adding roughly 37% more desulfurization capacity. Many governments, particularly in Europe, are requiring varieties with lower levels of sulfur, a major air pollutant that causes respiratory problems and contributes to acid rain. Two-thirds of U.S. diesel exports in October were the variety known as "ultra low sulfur." Please read more from: http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2012/01/how-did-america-become-a-...
