NEW YORK – New York City's Department of Sanitation is looking to retrofit its existing fleet of diesel-powered refuse trucks, or replace them with more compliant vehicles by 2009 as part of the EPA's 2007 diesel emissions standards, according to the Website, www.fleetowner.com. The initiative is part of a suite of emissions-reduction legislation targeting city vehicles that was passed by the city council, with Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg expected to sign the new laws. The compressed natural gas (CNG) initiatives have been passed up in favor or retrofitting or replacing the refuse trucks. Rocco DiRico, assistant commissioner of support services for the sanitation department, said the underdeveloped CNG program, the cost of CNG vehicles, and the mechanical disadvantages with the equipment have been major hurdles in justifying a switch to CNG over ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel currently used. DiRico added that a retrofitted clean diesel refuse truck costs about $135,000, but an equivalent CNG vehicle costs over $200,000.