Business

WASHINGTON — The prospects of the Senate passing controversial cap-and-trade climate legislation in 2010 appear to be very slim, a panel of Washington insiders said last week.

North American railroads ended 2009 with the largest annual percentage drop in freight traffic in six decades, but the carriers finished on a high note by topping 2008 levels for the final three weeks of last year.

The Energy Department last week announced grants totaling more than $187 million for projects to improve the fuel efficiency of heavy-duty trucks and passenger cars, including one aimed at producing a “SuperTruck” that boosts fuel economy by 50% by 2015.

The average price of a gallon of retail diesel fuel in the United States rose 8.2 cents a gallon last week to $2.879, the highest level in 14 months, according to the Department of Energy.

UPS Inc. said that it will expand its global service parts logistics network by adding 101 new field stocking locations in China.

BlueGrace Logistics said that it has launched an iPhone application for calculating shipping quotes from multiple carriers.

Industrial production increased 0.6% in December, the Federal Reserve said Friday.

The consumer price index rose 0.1% in December, the Labor Department said Friday.

Manufacturing activity in the New York region improved this month, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said Friday.