Fuel

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission should create position limits on energy contracts across all trading platforms to protect the trucking industry from excessive speculation in oil futures, a representative of American Trucking Associations testified at recent CFTC hearings.

The selective catalytic reduction process that most engine manufacturers will use to comply with 2010 federal diesel emission standards could emit toxic byproducts, the California Air Resources Board’s top researcher wrote in a recent letter filed in federal court by Navistar Inc.

U.S. retail fuel prices continued to rise last week, as the average cost of a gallon of diesel climbed 2.2 cents to $2.55 a gallon, while gasoline jumped 5.4 cents to $2.557, the second straight week of increases, the Department of Energy reported.

The SmartWay Transport Partnership is giving shipper-owned fleets a way to showcase their commitment to energy efficiency and cleaner air.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s decision to cut the maximum allowed stopping distance for large trucks by 30% will increase truck buyers’ costs somewhat, but will not force a widespread shift to new technology such as air disc brakes, industry groups and manufacturers said.

The U.S. average retail diesel price rose 3.2 cents a gallon last week to $2.528, the first increase in five weeks, the Department of Energy reported.

Our latest little honeymoon with fuel prices likely will end soon, as recent increases in the cost of crude oil work their way down to the retail pump.