Government

About Government News...

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.

Business, Government

New Home Sales Climb 11%

New home sales increased 11% in June, the largest increase in eight years, the Commerce Department said Monday.

July 27, 2009
Government, Business, Safety

New Orleans Port Operators Cut Hours

Both of the terminal operators at the Port of New Orleans have reduced their business hours in response to the economic recession and reduced shipping, the Times-Picayune reported.

July 27, 2009
Editorial, Business, Fuel, Government

Fuel Price Honeymoon

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.

July 27, 2009
Letters to the Editor, Business, Government, Safety, Equipment

Letters: Nitrogen in Tires, Brokers Revisited, Impossibly Low Rates, California Reefers, It’s All About Freight, Squeaky Wheels

In reference to the story, “Safeway Fleet Set to Fill Tires With Nitrogen,” which appeared July 6 on p. 8, I have been using nitrogen in my fleet since 2005. We have noticed that the tires stay at a constant pressure, and we have been able to get well over 250,000 miles out of our drive tires and 150,000 miles out of our steer tires.

July 27, 2009
Business, Safety, Government

Virginia Closes 18 Rest Stops

The Virginia Department of Transportation closed 18 rest stops last week, despite an effort by U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Va.) to amend federal law to allow the state to commercialize the rest areas.

July 27, 2009
Business, Government, Safety, Fuel, Logistics

Standards Body Passes on ‘Hot’ Fuel Rule

Trucking groups hailed the decision by the National Conference on Weights and Measures not to proceed with proposals to regulate the temperature of retail fuel at the pump.

July 27, 2009
Business, Government, Fuel

Wal-Mart, UPS to Expand Carbon-Emissions Reporting

Wal-Mart Stores and UPS Inc. have separately pledged to support enterprise-wide reporting of greenhouse gas emissions, underscoring the emerging relevance of the carbon accounting field to motor carriers.

July 27, 2009
Business, Government, Safety, Logistics

NHTSA Issues Rule to Cut Truck Stopping Distance by 30%

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will require a cut of 30% in the allowable stopping distance for the majority of new trucks beginning in 2011, the agency said Friday.

July 27, 2009
Business, Technology, Government

So. Calif. Ports Expected to Approve Program to Speed Purchase of 500 More LNG Trucks

Harbor commissioners at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, Calif., are expected to approve a plan next month to spend $46.5 million in new grant funding from the state to fast-track the purchase of up to 500 new liquefied natural gas trucks, officials with both ports said.

July 27, 2009
Business, Safety, Government, Logistics

Senators Address 3 DOT Nominations

The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee advanced the nominations of several other key administration officials to the full Senate on July 21, including the nomination of Deborah Hersman to lead the National Transportation Safety Board.

July 27, 2009