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.
New Hours-of-Service Rule Takes Effect
The new federal hours-of-service rule for truck drivers took full effect Monday, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced.
July 1, 2013Ohio Interstates Get 70 MPH Speed Limit
The speed limit on 570 miles of rural Ohio interstate highways increased to 70 mph from 65 mph on Monday under a new state law that allows the Ohio Department of Transportation to increase the speed on all nonurban interstates.
July 1, 2013Diesel Tax Set to Increase in Many States, Including a 10-Cent Bump in Wyoming
The diesel fuel tax will increase in a number of states across the nation July 1, while Virginia and Maryland will begin charging new sales taxes that also will increase the cost of fuel.
July 1, 2013U.S. Eyes More Truck Rules
President Obama last week announced that the administration will begin work on a new round of fuel-economy standards that will apply to heavy- and medium-duty trucks starting in 2019.
July 1, 2013U.S., Canada Agree on Peace Bridge Improvement Plan
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) and Canadian officials announced an agreement to improve the American side of the Peace Bridge, which connects Buffalo to Fort Erie in Canada, the New York Times reported.
June 28, 2013Senate Unanimously Confirms Anthony Foxx as Transportation Secretary
The U.S. Senate on Thursday unanimously confirmed Anthony Foxx to be the new secretary of transportation.
FMCSA Grants Permanent Authority to Four Mexican Carriers
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced this week that it had moved multiple Mexican carriers through various stages of registration in the cross-border trucking pilot program this week, including giving permanent authority to four fleets that allows them to operate throughout the United States.
Nafta Surface Trade Rises 7.5% in April
Surface trade among the United States, Canada and Mexico rose 7.5% in April from the same month last year and increased 2.4% from March, the Department of Transportation said Wednesday.
June 26, 2013EPA Official Says Work to Begin ‘Immediately’ on Next Round of Truck Emissions Regs
WASHINGTON — Work will begin immediately to develop a second round of fuel-performance standards for heavy trucks starting in model year 2019, an Environmental Protection Agency official said Wednesday.
Obama Says Administration to Set More Truck Emissions Standards
President Obama said the Keystone XL oil pipeline should be approved only if it won’t increase net greenhouse-gas emissions and that his administration is planning to partner with truck makers to set emissions standards “for the next generation of vehicles.”
June 26, 2013