Dear Members,

Thanks to everyone who joined us for the 22nd Annual Meeting of the Diesel Technology Forum in Washington, D.C. on November 30 – December 1. This first return to in-person meetings in two years had 70% of all members represented by the 24 people in attendance. It was great to see everyone and have time to network at the reception and dinner at Fogo de Chão.  

Beyond the customary reports from the Treasurer and staff, half of this meeting was devoted to a significant discussion about the future of the DTF. Following an 18-month long effort and charge by the DTF Executive Committee, staff presented the results that heavily favored the need for DTF to evolve and change. In the final poll of the meeting, we took a show of hands as an informal measure of those in the room. All voted for a change to DTF’s future; none were in favor of DTF staying the same today in form or name. We expect that during the first quarter of 2023 we will present to the DTF membership an official proposal for the change; one that will require your careful review and consideration and vote! Though there are many details to be organized and presented for an official vote, directionally DTF will likely evolve to a freshened brand representing sustainability of internal combustion engines, with a primary emphasis on diesel. So, a new chapter awaits in 2023!

A related aspect of this discussion was presented by Dr. Dee Allsop, Principal at Heart and Mind Strategies, who shared insights from the mid-term election, including results from several questions sponsored by DTF about voter attitudes and perspectives on diesel, energy, and climate policy. Results showed that while attitudes about diesel had slipped more negative than the last survey in 2016, voters expressed their beliefs that diesel technology will also be a part of the future.   

The staff presentations, the post-election survey data, and other presentations from this meeting are posted online in the DTF members’ only portion of our website under Meeting Minutes. As a reminder the password to login is: Member2000!

As 2022 comes to a close, on behalf of our entire team here at the DTF, I want to extend our best wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday season to all of you and your families. Here’s to a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year for all of us! 

The DTF offices will be closed December 22 – January 2, but you can always reach me via phone or email.  

The Meltwater data shows we earned an advertising value equivalency of nearly $501,875 in November with 172 news reports or news release placements reaching a potential audience of approximately 54 million people.

DTF published and distributed the following news release last month:

Notable media coverage included the following reports:

In November we reached out to policymakers in Mississippi to highlight new investments in advanced diesel technology announced by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ). MDEQ announced the recipients of the first round of funding provided through the State's Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Program. In total $7,331,408 was awarded to 22 entities. Ten of these recipients are choosing advanced diesel technology for their project.

We shared New Jersey Transit’s steps to replace all of its aging transit buses with policymakers in the state. Recently its board of directors took the last step in this project and approved a $142.99 million contact with Motor Coach Industries to build the last 172 advanced technology diesel buses.

We also shared our news release Renewable Diesel Fuels in Internal Combustion Engines Deliver Major Reductions in Greenhouse Gas Emissions with policymakers in California and the Northeastern states. 

Our work is made possible by your generous support. Members are invoiced on their anniversary date each year.

Many thanks to the following member for renewing their membership in November: