Fuel

Before Congress recessed for its Memorial Day break, the House of Representatives passed legislation that could make it easier for employees of FedEx Corp.’s express unit to unionize, and the House energy committee approved a bill that would set up a cap-and-trade program to limit output of greenhouse gases.

Rising crude oil prices helped drive the average U.S. retail price of diesel fuel up 4.3 cents last week to $2.274 a gallon, while higher demand tied to increased summer driving pushed gasoline up nearly three times as much, the Energy Department reported.

Truck and engine manufacturer Navistar Inc. has challenged the Environmental Protection Agency’s authority to certify heavy-duty diesel engines using selective catalytic reduction to meet the agency’s 2010 standards for emissions of nitrogen oxides.

Truckers who pull refrigerated trailers into and around California have less than two months to prep for a rule that requires the small diesel engines that power older reefers to meet a state emission standard.

New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch (D) said he would veto the state’s budget if it includes a 15-cent fuel tax passed by the House and under consideration in the Senate, the Associated Press reported.

Volvo Trucks North America has launched a new Web site to tout the benefits of its selective catalytic reduction technology, the company said.

With the transportation industry challenged by extraordinary economic conditions, executives are devoting much time and effort to dealing with factors beyond their direct control, such as escalating fuel, vehicle and equipment costs. I believe they are leaving money on the table by not streamlining back-office processes that can offset these often-unforeseen external costs.

With respect to the senators, when planning the needs for surface transportation, what practical experience do they or anyone reporting to them have in transportation?

NEW YORK — Trucking executives said the uncertainty about new engine technology required to meet federal emissions standards next year would likely keep them from buying many trucks during 2010.