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Six diesel engine manufacturers have asked the federal government to allow them to install a computer program in model 2003 engines that would shut off pollution control equipment to prevent engine damage under certain driving conditions.

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Even if this waiver is granted, the manufacturers may not be able to meet the clean-air standards they agreed to reach by 2003 as part of a consent decree with the federal government, according to one company official who asked not to be identified.

The manufacturers last week asked Environmental Protection Agency officials to allow them to turn off pollution control equipment — identified as the exhaust gas recirculation system — when trucks operate at high altitudes, in humid weather or tow heavy loads.

The request for permission to turn off the pollution controls was greeted skeptically by environmentalists. But at a public meeting Sept. 13, EPA officials indicated they were seriously considering the manufacturers’ request.

For the full story, see the Sept. 18 print edition of Transport Topics. .