Government
Transport Topics government and regulatory coverage keeps managers of a highly-regulated industry aware of the policy decisions that can shape their businesses. Covering both the legislative and regulatory aspects of policy-making, at both the state and national levels, the news in this category includes looks at infrastructure, hours of service, emissions rules, funding measures, leadership appointments, and more. Readers can follow what’s happening in Congress, at the Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Administration, and in state and local governments.
Pa. Legislators Approve $2.4 Bln. Road Plan
Pennsylvania state lawmakers gave final approval Nov. 21 to a transportation spending bill that will raise $2.4 billion more annually for the state’s roads, bridges and transit systems.
Senators Propose Infrastructure Bank Measure
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators led by Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) introduced legislation to create a $10 billion infrastructure bank that would use loans and loan guarantees to encourage private investment in transportation projects.
November 22, 2013Ferro, House Republicans Spar Over HOS Restart Restrictions
Republican House members and FMCSA Administrator Anne Ferro sparred over the 34-hour restart provision of the new hours-of-service rule for truck drivers at a House of Representatives subcommittee hearing.
Infrastructure Funding Headed for ‘Fiscal Cliff,’ Transportation Official Warns
WASHINGTON — The federal government’s main source of transportation funding is headed for its own “fiscal cliff” unless Congress acts to pay for infrastructure needs that are critical to the economy, a transportation official said Nov. 21 during an American Highway Users Alliance conference.
FHWA’s Freight Network Inadequate, Agency Says
Federal Highway Administration officials said the Primary Freight Network that Congress last year told them to draw up has resulted in an inadequate road map that doesn’t represent the most critical highway elements in the freight system that exist in the United States.
EPA Offers Rebates for Off-Highway Engine Retrofits
The Environmental Protection Agency said it will spend $2 million on rebates to encourage owners of construction equipment to replace or retrofit older diesel engines.
Ferus and ENN Announce Joint Venture for LNG Plants in Canada
Ferus Natural Gas Fuels and ENN Canada announced a joint venture to build, own and operate two liquefied natural gas liquefaction plants in Canada.
November 20, 2013Ohio Carrier to Pay $302,000 in OSHA Case
The U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration and an Ohio trucking company settled a civil lawsuit after two drivers claimed they were fired for being whistleblowers, OSHA said.
Carriers That Use Driver Screening Program See Lower Crash Rates, FMCSA Says
Trucking companies using the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Pre-Employment Screening Program reduced their crash rates by 15%, with midsize carriers seeing even greater improvements, according to a recent FMCSA study.
ATA Calls for “Immediate Action” on HOS
Leaders of American Trucking Associations called on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and Congress to take “immediate action” to address what they said were problems caused by changes to the hours-of-service rule that took effect July 1.