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WASHINGTON — Truckers, watch those speedometers closely this week. The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) Operation Safe Driver Week runs from today through July 15, and officers say they will crack down on speeding by issuing warnings and citations. Throughout the week, law enforcement in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. will be also on the lookout for commercial motor vehicle drivers and passenger vehicle drivers engaging in unsafe driving behaviors, according to a CVSA news release. “This weeklong driver safety traffic enforcement and awareness campaign aims to identify unsafe drivers, deter dangerous driving behaviors and prompt positive driving habits through officer interactions with drivers,” the news release noted. “Data shows that traffic stops and interactions with law enforcement help reduce problematic driving behaviors.” Examples of unsafe driver behaviors are speeding; improper lane changes, passing or turns; driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol; using a handheld device; failure to wear a seat belt, etc. Each year, Operation Safe Driver Week focuses on a specific unsafe driving behavior to call attention to the dangers of that behavior. This year, that focus will be on speeding. “CVSA has continued to focus on speeding because it remains a persistent problem on our roadways,” the news release stated. “Speeding increases the frequency and severity of crashes, and unsafe speeds are a well-documented factor in fatalities and injuries.” 2022 results During 2022’s Operation Safe Driver Week, which ran from July 10-16, officers in Canada and the U.S. pulled over more than 35,000 commercial motor vehicles and passenger vehicles and issued 26,164 warnings and citations to commercial motor vehicle drivers and passenger vehicle drivers engaging in unsafe driving behaviors, ranging from speeding to distracted driving. Just as this year, speeding was the focus of the 2022 event and was the top violation — in warnings given and citations issued — for all drivers, according to the CVSA. Officers issued 8,586 citations and 7,299 warnings for speeding/violating basic speed law/driving too fast for conditions. Broken out, that amounts to 2,577 warnings to commercial motor vehicle drivers and 4,722 to passenger vehicle drivers. Citations were given to 1,490 commercial motor vehicle drivers and 7,096 passenger vehicle drivers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding has played a role in more than a quarter of traffic deaths — killing nearly 100,000 people — over the past decade. In 2020 alone, there were 11,258 speeding-related deaths in the U.S. In addition, the American Transportation Research Institute’s recently updated “Predicting Truck Crash Involvement” report found that when a commercial motor vehicle driver receives a speeding violation, that increases their likelihood of being involved in a crash by 47%. And, according to Transport Canada, speeding/driving too fast was a contributing factor in 25.3% of fatal crashes in 2020.

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, along with 24 of his fellow Republican attorneys general around the nation, has challenged the Biden Administration’s clampdown on tailpipe emissions. Meanwhile, a group of Democratic counterparts from 20 states urged more stringent requirements. Back in April, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed that new 2027-32 automobiles meet strict new requirements, estimating that carmakers would need to electrify at least 60% of their production by 2030 and 67% by 2032. The EPA is also working on strict new requirements for big rig emissions as well. This news comes just a day after heavy-duty truck and engine manufacturers and environmental regulations officials in California announced an agreement on emissions rules designed to give companies greater flexibility to meet the state’s strict emissions requirements. For complete coverage on that issue, click here. Back in Kentucky, a statement from Cameron’s office contends that the president’s plan “would forcibly phase out gas-powered vehicles and restructure the automobile industry around electric vehicles (EVs) at a breakneck pace. The draconian proposal aims to boost certain EV sales from 8.4% of total vehicle sales today to 67% by 2032.” Cameron and West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey led 25 states in a letter opposing the EPA plan, arguing the move would damage our economy, undermine the reliability of the nation’s electrical grids, tax the families and businesses who depend on them and threaten national security. “President Biden wants to use the power of government to force a massive shift in demand for automobiles, with the government putting its thumb on the scale in favor of EVs. But Americans don’t want what he is selling,” Cameron said. “This is the latest head-in-the-sand approach to achieving the left’s impossible green-energy fantasies. Government shouldn’t pick winners and losers, and an EPA rule that would kill gas-powered vehicles does just that.” Kentucky and West Virginia’s coalition argues that “the aggressive shift to EVs is counterproductive and misguided. America’s power grids not only lack the capacity to accommodate the proposed rule’s new demands but are also nowhere near secure enough to handle them safely. EPA’s also plan hinders American energy independence and makes the country less secure,” their letter states. The attorneys general highlight how the Biden Administration’s “fast-and-furious approach to electrification will have devastating consequences for the automotive supply chain. America would be weaker and more dependent on foreign adversaries like China, which supplies many of the minerals necessary for electric vehicles.” Earlier this year, Cameron led a 19-state coalition in opposing the EPA’s regulation of air quality standards. He also challenged proposals to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and to make illegal over 50 percent of gas stoves currently on the market. Cameron and Morrisey are joined by attorneys general in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wyoming. During the Arkansas Trucking Association’s annual conference Wednesday, May 17, in Little Rock, American Trucking Associations (ATA) President and CEO Spear told attendees that it’s time to “turn up the volume and let our story be heard” over the EPA’s regulations and proposals. The third phase of the EPA’s Clean Trucks Plan has caused the issue of big rig emissions to boil over, Spear said. “Phase 3, on NoX, that’s the toughest stuff,” Spear said. “It’s like squeezing blood out of a rock.” The Clean Trucks Plan calls for reducing production of diesel-fueled rigs and replacing them with vehicles powered by electricity or other alternative fuel sources in the coming years. In December 2022, the EPA finalized part of the plan that calls for cutting cut smog-and soot-forming emissions from new heavy-duty trucks beginning with model year 2027. Spear contends the trucking industry has already made great strides in helping to reduce emissions on diesel engines. “For 40 years, we have worked hand-in-glove with the SmartWay program with the EPA,” Spear said. “We have recognized carriers that have kept up with the latest environmentally friendly equipment.” Clean Freight Coalition (CFC) Executive Director Jim Mullen also spoke out on the issue, saying in a statement that his organization and its members “are committed to the sustainable and affordable transition to zero-emission trucks. However, the unachievable standards and timelines set forth by California regulators jeopardize the entire supply chain and risk truck dealers having limited compliant products to sell and fleets holding onto their older trucks longer.” Mullen added: “The CFC questions the benefits of this agreement. Policymakers could make an immediate impact on truck emissions by providing incentives for motor carriers to refresh their fleets with newer, more environmentally friendly trucks. For instance, eliminating the Federal Excise Tax on heavy trucks would provide immediate benefit by reducing emissions while improving roadway safety with trucks equipped with the latest technologies.” In closing, Mullen said, “A patchwork of state regulations disrupts the trucking industry and our nation’s supply chain. The CFC will continue to advocate for a sustainable and affordable transition to a zero-emission future which protects the supply chain and does not pass the financial burden onto the hundreds of millions of American households and business consumers who depend on goods shipped by trucks.” Democratic attorneys general from New York, California, Pennsylvania, Illinois and other states said the EPA should go further. “Strong emissions standards are necessary now to stave off the worst impacts of human-induced climate change,” they said, along with officials from six cities, including the District of Columbia, Chicago, New York and Los Angeles.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Average U.S. diesel prices showed downward movement across the nation leading up to the July 4 holiday, according to the latest statistics from the Energy Information Administration (EIA). As of July 3, the average cost per gallon for diesel was $3.767, down from $3.801 per gallon on June 26 and $3.815 on June 19. The July 3 rate marks the lowest diesel prices have been, on average, since Jan. 17, 2022. The only place with increases was California, which saw average prices rise from $4.751 on June 26 to $4.762 on July 3, according to the EIA. The lowest prices can be found along the Gulf Coast at $3.468 per gallon. Some economists are pointing to China’s sagging economy — they are using much less oil than predicted — as a reason for lower prices at the pump.  

WASHINGTON — The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has announced July 9-15 for this year’s Operation Safe Driver Week. Throughout that week, law enforcement officers in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. will be on the lookout for commercial motor vehicle drivers and passenger vehicle drivers engaging in unsafe driving behaviors, according to a news release. Those exhibiting unsafe driving behaviors will be pulled over and given a warning and/or issued a ticket/citation by law enforcement. “This weeklong driver safety traffic enforcement and awareness campaign aims to identify unsafe drivers, deter dangerous driving behaviors and prompt positive driving habits through officer interactions with drivers,” the news release noted. “Data shows that traffic stops and interactions with law enforcement help reduce problematic driving behaviors.” Examples of unsafe driver behaviors are speeding; improper lane changes, passing or turns; driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol; using a handheld device; failure to wear a seat belt, etc. Each year, Operation Safe Driver Week focuses on a specific unsafe driving behavior to call attention to the dangers of that behavior. This year, the focus will be on speeding. “CVSA has continued to focus on speeding because it remains a persistent problem on our roadways,” the news release stated. “Speeding increases the frequency and severity of crashes, and unsafe speeds are a well-documented factor in fatalities and injuries.”

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A bill that would ban the testing of autonomous vehicles over 10,000 pounds cleared the California Assembly May 31 and was sent to the state Senate. The bill was strongly supported by both the Teamsters and the California Labor Federation. Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Burbank), who chairs the Transportation Committee, explained that leaving the task of supervising testing of autonomous large vehicles to the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is not an acceptable option. “It was appropriate, given the size of these vehicles and the speed at which they go, that the legislature is a backstop and has the ability to decide when they’re ready to be deployed on public streets without a driver,” she told The Trucker. “The DMV is not routinely collecting all of the data about various incidents that occur with those vehicles,” she explained. “They’re redacting a lot of the information, and that’s something that made policymakers feel nervous about allowing the DMV to be the only decider of when these vehicles will be able to be used without humans.” Friedman pointed out that the state of California does allow autonomous operation of smaller vehicles without human supervision. “It’s just with this larger class of vehicles, where there was a push to make sure that we were confident in the technology,” she said. Friedman is also concerned about loss of jobs in the trucking industry — a topic near and dear to most drivers. “I think that there’s also a very important conversation about what you do with people who depend on trucking for their livelihood,” she said. “They can’t just accept tens of thousands of job losses as collateral damage in the quest for efficiency and safety.” The bill provided a plan whereby the ban on driverless vehicles could be lifted at a future date, with the approval of the state legislature. It starts with annual “disengagement” reports from manufacturers of autonomous vehicles to the DMV; these reports will provide details noting each time a vehicle’s autonomous system was deactivated by the technology, a human driver, a passenger or a remote operator. The DMV is charged with planning and implementing the reporting system. Five years after the commencement of testing, the DMV must submit a report to California’s Legislature with a summary of the annual reports and a recommendation of whether the Legislature should remove, modify or maintain the requirement for a driver to be present. The report must be prepared in conjunction with other state agencies, including Caltrans, the California Highway Patrol, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and others. After another year — and if authorized by the Legislature — the DMV may issue permits for autonomous vehicle operation without a driver present. California’s AB316 requires the manufacturer to provide a $5 million surety bond or evidence of self-insurance, specifies that the technology must allow the driver to take control with the accelerator, brake pedal or steering wheel, and requires an indicator that tells the driver when the autonomous system is active. There’s also a data storage requirement. Friedman, who is a candidate for the state’s 30th U.S. congressional district, says she believes the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is equipped to supervise testing of autonomous vehicles, but has yet to develop standards for the technology. “They don’t really have standards for the brains inside these vehicles,” she said. “They only have standards for the for the physical vehicle. They have to also have a safety standard for AI (artificial intelligence) technology in the vehicles.” During her conversation with The Trucker, Friedman made it clear that she supports autonomous vehicles — but safety comes first. “To me, these technologies at this point are a wonderful tool, but they don’t replace the brains of humans when they need to step in,” she said. “It’ll be in the future (when) that changes, but that’s where we are right now.” AB316 is expected to pass the heavily Democratic Senate but could be amended before it makes its way to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk for signing.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — As the average price for diesel fuel continues a mostly downward trend, a few states in the nation are preparing to raise taxes starting July 1. One state — Utah — is actually lowering its tax rate on July 1, however. Following is a state-by-state tax breakdown of diesel tax changes. California To battle inflation, California is raising its diesel fuel excise tax on July 1 to 44.1 cents, up 3.1 cents. Officials say it’s to keep up with inflation. Illinois Illinois is raising its diesel excise tax to 52.9 cents per gallon beginning July 1. That’s a 3.1-cent increase. This increase comes on the heels of a Jan. 1 increase of 3.1 cents. State officials say the hikes are due to inflation. Indiana Indiana’s diesel excise tax is set to increase by a cent to 56 cents per gallon on July 1. A state laws require rate adjustments through 2027, with adjustments being made each July 1, capped at a cent. Kentucky Diesel taxes in Kentucky are set to increase by 2.1 cents to 25.1 cents per gallon on July 1. Maryland In Maryland, diesel taxes will hike to 47.75 cents per gallon on July 1. That’s up from 43.45 cents. The state is allowed to make adjustments to fuel taxes based on the Consumer Price Index. Missouri Missouri’s taxes on diesel fuel will rise to 24.5 cents per gallon on July 1 thanks to a 2021 law that allows for regular increases. This will be the third tax hike out of five annual increases that are scheduled through 2025, when the tax on diesel will reach 29.5 cents per gallon. Utah In Utah, the tax collected on diesel fuel is going down to 34.5 cents per gallon on July 1 thanks to a law that allows for recalculation of taxes based on refinery costs. The current tax on diesel is 36.4 cents per gallon. Virginia Virginia’s diesel taxes are rising to 29.8 cents per gallon on July 1, up from 28 cents. The tax on wholesale fuels is also being increased to 8.8 cents, making for a combined diesel tax of 39.7 cents per gallon.

WASHINGTON — The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) has released the findings of its 2023 update to An Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking. A record number of motor carriers participated in this year’s research, which analyzes a wide variety of line-item costs, operating efficiencies, and revenue benchmarks by fleet size and sector, according to an ATRI news release. Total marginal costs climbed to a new high in 2022 for the second year in a row, increasing by 21.3% over 2021 to $2.251 per mile, the report notes. Though fuel was the largest driver of this spike (53.7% higher than in 2021), multiple other line-items also rose by double digits. Driver wages increased by 15.5%, to $0.724 per mile, reflecting the ongoing industry effort to attract and retain drivers. Driver benefits, however, remained stable in 2022, according to the report. Atypical market conditions posed unique challenges for acquiring and maintaining equipment in 2022. Truck and trailer payments increased by 18.6 percent to $0.331 per mile as carriers paid higher prices, largely due to equipment impediments in the supply chains. Closely related, parts shortages and rising technician labor rates pushed repair and maintenance costs up 12 percent to $0.196 per mile. In response to rising costs, motor carriers initiated improvements in key operational efficiencies. For example, driver turnover, detention times, and equipment utilization each improved across nearly every fleet size and sector during 2022.  This year’s report includes new metrics such as mileage between breakdowns and the ratio of truck drivers to non-driving employees. Despite falling rates throughout the year, average operating margins were at least six percent in all sectors. While larger fleets’ average operating margins improved from 2021 to 2022, smaller fleets saw operating margins decline. “In a softening market with costs rising at an unparalleled pace, carrier benchmarking becomes more critical than ever,” said Dave Broering, President of NFI Integrated Logistics. “ATRI’s newest Operational Costs report provides the reliable data and analysis we need to better understand our partners’ underlying costs in a volatile economy and decelerating rate marketplace.” A full copy of the report is available through ATRI’s website by clicking here.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Diesel prices are riding a summer roller coaster with slight ups and downs being seen across the U.S. For now, they’re down. According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), the average price for a gallon of diesel is $3.801 as of June 26. That’s down a hair since June 19, when the price sat at $3.815. Along the East Coast, drivers can expect to pay $3.853 on average, while in the Midwest the average price sits at $3.734. The Gulf Coast is seeing the lowest prices in the country, on average, at $3.510, while the highest costs are in California at $4.751 per gallon.

GREEN BAY, Wis. — A new transportation survey has outlined concerns, opportunities and priorities from both shippers and carriers for the remainder of 2023. In the report, transportation research company Breakthrough  notes that the industry “is recovering from turbulent economic, political and environmental challenges of the last five years and how present-day macroeconomic forces are shaping priorities.” In addition, the report addresses how industry leaders are prioritizing sustainability objectives. The study surveyed 500 transportation leaders, including carriers and shippers, at enterprises across the United States about their goals, priorities and predictions for the next 12 months. One of the most significant findings from the report reveals that nearly 94% of transportation professionals say consumer demand for more sustainable products makes reducing emissions a top priority for the next year. “Despite industry headwinds, the calls for sustainability across the value chain have never been more urgent and clear,” a news release noted. “As such, electric and alternative energy vehicles are in-demand green solutions. “ The study notes that a majority of shippers (99%) agree they would take advantage of these options if carriers in their networks offered them — and 79% strongly agree. On the carrier side, nearly all respondents (97%) reported seeing value in adding electric vehicles to their fleets — and 59% plan to do so by the end of 2023. “Inflation, volatile fuel prices, and capacity fluxes will continue to weigh heavily on the transportation industry, making it more important for organizations to prioritize efficiency measures,” said Matt Muenster, chief economist at Breakthrough. “Despite these economic hurdles, the desire for sustainable practices remains. With an abundance of intermodal capacity and a surge of investment in alternative energy technology and vehicles, shippers and carriers have an opportunity to shift toward more eco-conscious operations. This report provides a comprehensive overview of how organizations are tackling both economic and ecological challenges.”

WASHINGTON — The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released its first projections for traffic fatalities in 2023, estimating that 9,330 people died in traffic crashes in the first three months of the year. This represents a decrease of about 3.3% as compared to 9,645 estimated fatalities during the same time in 2022. The first quarter of 2023 represents the fourth straight quarterly decline in fatalities after seven consecutive quarters of year-to-year increases in fatalities, beginning with the third quarter of 2020. “After spiking during the pandemic, traffic deaths have been on a slow but consistent decline for the past year,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “This is an encouraging sign as we work to reverse the rise in roadway deaths, but there is much more work ahead to reinforce this downward trend and make it permanent.” The projected decrease occurred alongside a 2.6% increase in vehicle miles traveled. The estimated fatality rate for the first three months of 2023 decreased to 1.24 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, down from the projected rate of 1.32 during the same time in 2022. “This is very good news, but we know that far too many people are dying on our roadways in preventable crashes,” said NHTSA Chief Counsel Ann Carlson. “We are taking significant action to reduce traffic fatalities, including moving forward on new vehicle standards to make cars even safer, investing millions of dollars to improve infrastructure and roadway safety, and working with our state and local partners to help drivers make safe decisions on the road.” NHTSA estimates that for the first three months of 2023, fatalities decreased in 32 states, while 18 states and Puerto Rico have projected increases in fatalities as compared to the same period in 2022. The District of Columbia remained unchanged. Last January, Buttigieg unveiled the Department’s National Roadway Safety Strategy to address the national crisis in traffic fatalities and serious injuries. The NRSS adopts the safe system approach and builds multiple layers of protection with safer roads, safer people, safer vehicles, safer speeds and better post-crash care.  

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — After eight straight weeks of declines, the average price for a gallon of diesel fuel in the U.S. has risen. According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), the average price across the nation sits at $3.815 as of June 19. That’s up from $3.794 on June 12 and $3.797 on June 5. Two areas where average prices fell were along the Central Atlantic Coast and West Coast of California at $4.126 and $4.137 per gallon, respectively, according to the EIA. The Gulf Coast area saw the highest jump in average prices — from $3.489 on June 12 to $3.532 on June 19 — but still has the lowest on average costs per gallon in the country, according to the EIA.    

YOKOHAMA, Japan — An American push to establish “green shipping corridors” is key to reducing carbon emissions from the shipping industry, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said Monday, June 19, while touring the port of Yokohama near Tokyo. Buttigieg was in Japan to attend a meeting over the weekend of transport ministers of the Group of Seven advanced economies, who reaffirmed a commitment to reducing emissions from the transport industry and to keeping navigation free and open in the Asia-Pacific region. The U.S. is seeking to develop and strengthen partnerships with “like-minded countries” to improve maritime security and keep shipping and aviation corridors open, he told The Associated Press in an interview. Emissions from maritime transport account for about 3% of total global emissions from human activities. Some 40% of Yokohama’s emissions come from its port. About 90% of all traded goods are moved by sea, and maritime trade volumes are expected to triple by 2050, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Studies predict the industry’s share of greenhouse gas emissions could reach 15%. That has added urgency to efforts to cut such pollution. The International Maritime Organization, which regulates commercial shipping, wants to halve its greenhouse gas releases by midcentury and may seek deeper cuts this year. The Port of Los Angeles signed an agreement in March with port authorities of Yokohama and Tokyo to establish the so-called green shipping corridors, aiming to promote emissions reductions through use of net-zero emissions vessels and other efforts to reduce the flow of greenhouse gases from ports and shipping. It also has formed similar partnerships with Singapore and Shanghai and the U.S. has begun discussing setting up such corridors in Southeast Asia. The initiative is also under discussion by the Quad, which includes Japan, the U.S., India and Australia. Yokohama is the closest major port to North America across the Pacific and is a major regional hub. Japan is working to reduce fossil fuel use and promote hydrogen and ammonia as alternative fuels. Yokohama plans to build a terminal for ships to import hydrogen, officials said. Other facilities in Yokohama allow a ship that is idling at the port to be powered electronically instead of burning heavily polluting marine fuel oil. Similar initiatives are being promoted in U.S. ports, Buttigieg said, adding that Japanese leadership in developing hydrogen as fuel is going to be “a big part of the future.” The Biden administration is pushing to speed up the transition to renewable and less polluting energy sources. While attending G7 meetings in April in Sapporo, northern Japan, U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm toured the world’s first and only liquefied hydrogen carrier, a ship that showcases Japanese efforts to transform heavily polluting coal into emissions-free hydrogen power. Japan aims to achieve carbon neutrality in 2050, with a goal of becoming a “hydrogen society.” But its hydrogen industry is still in its initial stages, and still mostly reliant on hydrogen produced using fossil fuels. “We know it will take more time for these to be deployed on a widespread basis, but you have to begin somewhere,” he said. In a joint statement, Buttigieg and other G7 ministers reiterated their countries’ determination to support free and open navigation and expressed strong opposition to any attempts to change the “peacefully established status of territories by force” — a reference to concerns over China’s growing military presence and its longstanding claim to the separately governed island of Taiwan. Disruptions to China-based manufacturing and trade during the pandemic, as well as the risk of conflict have prompted moves to diversify supply chains and reduce reliance on Chinese production of strategically important goods and commodities. “We recognize that there will be a lot of geopolitical challenges affecting both trade and security in this region. This is party of why we have such an emphasis on de-risking and diversifying the economic relationships with regard to China,” Buttigieg said. Yokohama is in the midst of a “blue carbon infrastructure” project that features promoting coastal structures like sea walls that can serve as habitat for marine life while absorbing planet-warming gasses emitted by the port. While touring the port, Buttigieg was briefed about efforts to increase efficiency by accelerating use of remote-controlled cranes and autonomous-driven trailers, which can reduce waiting times for truck drivers and reduce emissions.

In late May, the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed several bills onto the House floor in efforts to upgrade the supply chain and prevent future supply disruptions. Five of those bills directly impact the trucking industry. While most easily passed Committee vote, some stakeholders have hesitancy regarding others. Truck parking remains among the top concerns of drivers and the industry. HR2367, the “Truck Parking Improvement Act,” is intended to address the issue head-on. Introduced by Rep. Mike Bost (R-IL), the bill provides for the construction of commercial motor vehicle parking at both existing and new parking areas. Perhaps more importantly, it requires these parking spaces be accessible to all commercial motor vehicles at no cost. “I grew up in a family trucking business,” Bost said. “I understand how difficult, and oftentimes dangerous, it can be when America’s truckers are forced to park in an unsafe location.” Bost noted that expanding parking for truckers not only makes the roads safer for commuters and other vehicles, but it also improves the efficiency of the supply chain. “This is a matter of public safety,” he added. The bill, which establishes a $755 million grant program for truck parking expansion, passed out of committee on a 60-4 vote. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL) sponsored HR3013, “The Licensing Individual Commercial Exam-takers Now Safely and Efficiently (LICENSE) Act of 2023.” This bill is intended to reduce regulatory restrictions on CDL licensing by making permanent two waivers issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The waivers, which allow CDL examiners to provide both the skills and knowledge portions of the tests and to offer the skills test no matter where the candidate received training, will improve the efficiency of the testing process, according to supporters. “Trucking workforce shortages continue to be a persistent challenge for small businesses throughout America, and the downstream effects are harming working families,” LaHood said, noting that the legislation would help streamline the process of obtaining a CDL and eliminate unnecessary “red tape.” Additional bills passed by the committee were related to weight increases for specific products that motor carriers haul on a regular basis, and for alternative-fuel vehicles. HR3318, sponsored by Rep. Rick Crawford (R-AR) establishes a 10% axle weight variance for dry bulk products, provided there is no increase in the overall federal gross vehicle weight (GVW) limit. Crawford’s bill addresses the fact that dry bulk cargo — including grains, aggregates, plastic pellets, etc. — tend to shift during transportation. The result is a redistribution in the truck’s weight. The bill provides leeway for trucks hauling such materials, avoiding the need to reduce load weight to account for the shifting. “Commodities such as flour or rice have the tendency to shift when the driver comes to a stop, even when packaged properly,” Crawford said, adding that the current law doesn’t take the uncontrollable movement of such freight into account. “This legislation is a commonsense solution for truckers transporting dry bulk by giving more flexibility for weight per axle requirements,” he said. HR2948, the “Carrying Automobiles Responsibly and Safely (CARS) Act,” is sponsored by Rep. Lance Gooden (R-TX). The bill, which passed through committee on a 30-29 vote, provides for efficiency in the supply chain by extending the ability of automobile transporters to continue carrying the number of vehicles currently allowed. The bill seeks to take into account the increasing weight of newer vehicles. Overall, under the bill, a 10% weight increase will be allowed for specific types of automobile transporters. “Car haul carriers across the nation have been backed into a corner by the Biden administration’s supply chain crisis,” Gooden said following a vote that passed along party lines. “The CARS Act would ensure vehicle transportation does not fall behind by restoring lost load capacity to transport carriers that are witnessing a surge in heavier cars on the market,” he said. Gooden says the bill is a simple solution to an industrywide problem, noting that “countless stakeholders” worked with him on the legislation in the interest of maintaining the supply chain. Finally, HR3447, sponsored by Rep. Greg Stanton (D-AZ) received bipartisan support. The bill provides a 2,000-pound weight exemption for hydrogen-powered vehicles, allowing them the same exemption as those powered by natural gas and batteries. The intent of the bill is to allow fleets investing in alternative fuel trucks greater flexibility and the opportunity to make the selection of power that is right for their company. By doing so, supporters hope, motor carriers and drivers will be more accepting of vehicles fueled by alternative power sources. The measure was passed on to the House floor by a 55-5 vote. While all the bills passed through committee have merit among stakeholders, one trucking industry insider stops short of endorsing the full slate of legislation. “Obviously, the inclusion of funding to create safe and secure parking is a win for the industry and (our organization,” said David Heller, senior vice president of safety and government affairs for the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA). However, Heller was less enthusiastic about weight variances. “We remain concerned over the provisions that would allow for weight increases over 80,000 pounds,” he said. “As an association, we will continue to advocate for supply chain solutions that will benefit the truckload segment of the industry and voice our opposition to weight increases that could jeopardize safety on our highways.” Heller went on to note that the trucking industry supports the nation through its commitment to delivering freight and providing jobs to Americans. But, he added, “TCA will urge Congress to find freight productivity solutions that will encourage everyone to safely deliver to the nation.” Floor debate on the various bills is pending at the time of this writing.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A group of diesel fuel industry stakeholders are urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to revise its greenhouse gas standards for heavy-duty trucks and adopt a market-oriented, technology-neutral approach to transportation decarbonization. This comes on the heels of President Biden’s recent veto of a resolution that would have canceled a part of the EPA’s Clean Trucks Plan, which went into effect in March. According to a news release, NATSO, representing America’s travel centers and truck stops, SIGMA: America’s Leading Fuel Marketers, and the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), have formed a partnership to lobby EPA officials to consider their proposal. Rather than adopting a single approach to emissions reductions, the organizations urged EPA officials to harness the immediate decarbonization benefits of existing lower carbon options, including renewable diesel and biodiesel, the news release noted. “The enormous practical and logistical challenges associated with electrifying trucks necessitate that the agency not rely entirely on a prodigious pace of heavy-duty electrification to decarbonize the trucking sector,” the organizations wrote in public comments submitted to EPA. “Instead of depending on one technology to act as a silver bullet, the agency should adopt an agnostic approach to low-carbon technologies that can deliver substantial emissions savings in the heavy-duty sector, without compromising the market’s ability to gravitate toward electrification as it becomes commercially viable and practical at scale.” With the right alignment of policy incentives, transportation energy providers can facilitate a faster, more widespread, cost-effective transition to petroleum alternatives, including electricity, in the coming years, the groups contend. Fuel retailer representatives say they support the development of electric vehicle technologies and the associated refueling network but are concerned that the current state of heavy-duty electric vehicle charging technology renders the electrification timeline proposed under this rulemaking unachievable. “Renewable diesel and biodiesel represent the best opportunity for reducing carbon emissions from the commercial trucking sector for the foreseeable future,” the news release stated. “Establishing sensible tailpipe emissions in conjunction with strong incentives for renewable liquid fuels will encourage investments in currently scalable technologies that can reduce the carbon footprint of fuels that are in use today.” The groups contend that under EPA’s proposed rule, off-highway refueling locations will need dozens of fast chargers to support 25% of new long-haul trucks being electric by 2032. However, the charging capacity required at a single large truck stop would be equivalent to the electric load of a small town, according to a recent study from RMI. Fuel retailers remain unconvinced that electricity providers will be able to increase generation and transmission activity to service that load at scale within 10 years. “Fuel retailers have provided biofuels to reduce the carbon footprint of the nation’s ground transportation for more than a decade. Compared with petroleum-based diesel, biofuels reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 75%, the news release stated. “Between 2011 and 2019, renewable diesel and biodiesel removed more than 18 million tons of carbon dioxide in California alone.” The fuel retailing sector has urged EPA to increase the blending mandate for biodiesel and renewable diesel under the Renewable Fuel Standard and encourage Congress to eliminate preferential treatment for sustainable aviation fuel, which they say uses the same feedstocks as renewable diesel but produces fewer emissions savings.