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.
Minnesota Moves to Crack Down on Catalytic Converter Thefts
ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Senate voted March 2 to make it harder for thieves to sell stolen catalytic converters, a crime that has skyrocketed across the country in recent years.
DOE Says Trucks, Transport Refrigeration Units Ideal for Solar Panel Energy
Commercial trucks, trailers and transport refrigeration units have been designated top candidates to integrate with experimental solar photovoltaics to lower diesel fuel use or boost power in electric vehicles.
FHWA Issues Requirements for EV Chargers — but Not for Trucks
The Federal Highway Administration has issued a final rule for minimum standards of electric vehicle chargers, but has chosen to not yet broaden the rule to include minimum standards for medium- and heavy-duty electric truck charging infrastructure.
Upgrades Speed Up Truck Traffic at Border Crossing in Texas
Trucks are traveling quicker on four special fast lanes at a U.S.-Mexico border crossing after the Texas city of Laredo helped complete a construction project to reduce traffic congestion at the World Trade Bridge.
March 2, 2023Truck Business, Policymakers Will Need to Tag Team Against Emissions
Trucks using batteries or hydrogen fuel cells instead of diesel engines will need to make up the vast majority of new EU sales by 2040 under plans to reduce CO2 emissions from medium- and heavy-duty vehicles by 90% from 2019 levels.
Biden Sets in Motion Gasoline Policy Shift to Boost Ethanol
The Biden administration is advancing a fuel policy shift demanded by Midwest governors who expect it will encourage filling stations to sell higher-ethanol E15 gasoline and offer it year round.
DOE Outlines Higher Upfront Costs for Green Heavy Trucks
Trucking companies are being advised to seek government incentives to help offset high price tags of green heavy trucks that are forecast based on federal figures to cost $28,000 to $297,500 more than diesel engines vehicles.
Supply Chain Envoy Says Automating Ports Doesn’t Have to Cost Jobs
The White House’s supply chain envoy said the ports and logistics industry must move toward automation, a sticking point in protracted contract talks between U.S. West Coast dockworkers and their employers.
Manufacturing Shrinks at Slower Pace in February, Prices Gauge Jumps
A gauge of manufacturing improved for the first time in six months, though activity remained in contraction territory amid fragile demand and growing inflationary pressures.
ATA Execs Highlight Outreach, Advocacy Benefits at MSC Conference
ORLANDO, Fla. — Long-standing advocacy and outreach programs continue to be essential tools for stakeholders to advance their message with policymakers, American Trucking Associations executives told members of the Moving & Storage Conference on Feb. 27.