Twenty-five years ago this month, the fuel spigots at the bus depots of New York City Transit were converted to a new diesel fuel. This “ultra-low sulfur diesel” fuel contained about 15 parts-per-million , or ppm, or less of sulfur, versus traditional diesel levels of around 500 ppm.

At a time when it seems hard to find environmental progress, this is an anniversary to celebrate.

Back then, many New Yorkers held their breath as a bus or truck pulled away from the curb, washing the sidewalk with thick, black smoke. This soot pollution triggered asthma attacks , and was linked to increased bronchitis, cancer, emphysema, heart disease and tens of thousands of premature deaths in the U.S. every year. As a NYC bike rider, I knew the feeling of breathing diesel pollution all too well.

In

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