WASHINGTON --- With new clean diesel heavy-duty engines set to roll off of assembly lines nationwide this year, the diesel industry is ushering in a new era. "This new year signals the arrival of a new generation of clean diesel trucks that will fundamentally change the way people think about diesel engine technology in this country," said Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum. "New clean diesel trucks sold beginning in 2007 will produce 90 percent fewer emissions of particles and significantly lower emissions of nitrogen oxide [NOx] than trucks built in 2006." Further, these trucks will play a key role in helping states and communities around the country meet more stringent clean air goals, Schaeffer said. Developing these clean diesel engines and trucks has required industry-wide multi-billion-dollar engineering and research investments by emissions control manufacturers and engine and truck makers. In addition to requiring the use of ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel, these trucks and engines deploy the latest technology in engine management, fuel injection, emissions reduction and turbocharging innovations.