A coalition of petroleum industry trade associations asked a federal court on Oct. 1 to vacate and remand an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) diesel sulfur rule because of its impact on supply and cost to the industry. As stated in their briefs to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit Court, the associations argued that the EPA rule will lead to shortages of diesel fuel beginning in 2006. The groups also argued that it was “arbitrary and capricious” for the EPA to regulate fuels based on emissions-control technology that isn’t already used or close to being in general use at the time the rule was adopted. The rule requires a 97-percent reduction in highway diesel fuel sulfur levels by mid-2006 for use in 2007-model vehicles. The petitioners include the American Petroleum Institute and the National Association of Con-venience Stores.