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.

Government, Business, Safety, Fuel

Averaging Has Given Engine Makers Flexibility to Meet Emission Targets

Large-scale manufacturing of 550-horsepower, 13-liter diesel truck engines that can run for a million miles is such a complicated endeavor that, since 1990, EPA has given engine makers some short-term wiggle room on hitting emissions targets through its averaging, banking and trading program.

June 30, 2008
Government, Business, Safety

Florida Sets Anti-Idling Rule; Compliance Delayed Until December

Florida’s Environmental Regulation Commission has approved a rule barring heavy-duty trucks from idling longer than five minutes.

June 30, 2008
Business, Fuel, Government

Many Trucking Shares Gain During 2008 Despite Ongoing Industry Woes

Despite trucking’s struggles to overcome record fuel prices, weak demand and overcapacity, many carriers’ stocks have gained thus far in 2008.

June 30, 2008
Business, Government, Safety, Fuel

EGR Proponents to Use Credits to Meet 2010 Engine Standards

The two major engine makers that will employ exhaust gas recirculation technology to meet the tightened federal emissions rules that go into effect in 2010 will use credits they have earned from the Environmental Protection Agency to hit the new mark.

June 30, 2008
Business, Safety, Government

UPS Lowers Earnings Estimate, Sending Stock to Five-Year Low

UPS Inc. lowered guidance on its second-quarter earnings by about 15%, less than one week after FedEx Corp. posted its first quarterly loss since 1997, demonstrating that even the two largest corporations in North American freight transportation, with the most far-reaching global footprints, are ultimately not immune to the continuing struggles of the all-but-stagnant U.S economy.

June 30, 2008
Government, Business, Safety, Fuel

Diesel Dips 4.4¢ to $4.648 a Gallon

The fuel price express took a holiday last week, as the average price of diesel dipped 4.4 cents a gallon to $4.648, and the price of gasoline declined for the first time in three months, according to the Department of Energy.

June 30, 2008
Government, Business, Safety

Roadcheck Shows Improved Safety Compliance, CVSA Says

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance said that its recent Roadcheck ’08 three-day safety check yielded the lowest out-of-service rate in two decades.

June 27, 2008
Government, Business

Personal Spending Jumps 0.8%

Consumer personal spending rose 0.8% in May, the Commerce Department said Friday.

June 27, 2008
Government

Oil Tops $140 a Barrel for First Time

Oil hit a new record Thursday, topping $140 a barrel for the first time as the U.S. dollar declined and OPEC officials warned of higher prices, the Associated Press reported.

June 26, 2008
Government

First-Quarter GDP Revised Upward to 1%

The U.S. economy grew at a 1% annual rate in the first quarter, higher than a previous report, the Commerce Department said Thursday.

June 26, 2008