DOE: Use of ‘dirtier’ Euro 2 fuel only a contingency for now

The Department of Energy (DOE) on Tuesday clarified its policy allowing the temporary importation and use of Euro 2 petroleum products, which are regarded as having “dirtier” emissions, saying it is only a contingency measure should fuel supply in the country reach "critical levels."

“That is a reserve action in case we may have a difficulty in getting fuel,” Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said at a virtual press briefing.

Over the weekend, the DOE announced it has issued a circular authorizing the temporary importation and use of Euro 2 fuel for select vehicle models as well as industrial applications to safeguard the country’s fuel supply.

Garin explained that Euro 2 fuel products are “more available in the international market today” compared to its cleaner counterpart Euro 4.

“When we are talking to oil companies and all our traders, that was their observation. If we are willing [to buy Euro 2] that could be available,” she said.

The DOE earlier said that the temporary use of Euro 2 fuels, which have higher emissions, is limited to in-use vehicle models from 2015 and earlier, traditional jeepneys, industrial applications such as powerplants and generators, and the marine and shipping industry.

The Energy Department, however, said that Euro 2 products won’t replace the country’s Euro IV fuel standards, which remain in force under existing laws and regulations. 

“For now, it is not yet activated because our supply still looks steady… That’s a contingency that we are preparing. We haven’t implemented that yet,” Garin said.

Data released by the Energy Department showed that the country’s average fuel inventory is good for 45 days.

For his part, DOE-Oil Industry Management Bureau Director Rino Abad said that Euro 2 has 500 parts per million (ppm) sulfur content compared to Euro 4’s 50 ppm.

“It’s just an alternative [fuel]. We are just preparing for the worst. These are temporary in place. We are avoiding any scenario so we have to be prepared for that,” Garin said. —VAL, GMA Integrated News