The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in coordination with the Department of Energy (DOE), has temporarily waived federal clean diesel fuel requirements in New Jersey to allow the use of home heating oil in most generators and pumps in emergency service.

The decision, handed down by EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson, lifts restrictions of the Clean Air Act. As a result of effects of Hurricane Sandy, extreme and unusual supply circumstances exist, which may result in a temporary shortage of diesel fuel compliant with federal regulations, the EPA said in a Nov. 1 announcement. The federal waivers will help ensure an adequate supply of fuel for emergency response in New Jersey.

The waiver temporarily allows the use of heating oil in emergency generators and pumps if ultra low-sulfur fuel is not available. The waiver will not apply to a small subset of diesel engines used in generators and pumps that could be damaged by the high sulfur fuel.

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