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.
House Transportation Leader Praises Trucking Workforce
The trucking workforce’s contributions during the pandemic were again recognized by the chairman of the transportation panel in the U.S. House of Representatives.
FMCSA Proposes All Interstate CMVs Have Electronic ID Systems
Federal trucking regulators have issued a proposal that would require every commercial motor vehicle operating in interstate commerce be equipped with an electronic identification system.
Economy Drops at 0.6% Annual Rate From April Through June
WASHINGTON — Battered by surging consumer prices and rising interest rates, the U.S. economy shrank at a 0.6% annual rate from April through June, the government announced Sept. 29, unchanged from its previous second-quarter estimate.
Democrats, Republicans Tout Infrastructure Ahead of Midterm Elections
With midterm elections season in full swing, Democrats and Republicans are promoting infrastructure proposals as they each pursue control of Congress.
FMCSA Issues Emergency Declaration for Hurricane Relief
The devastation wrought in Florida by Hurricane Ian prompted the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to issue an emergency declaration for commercial vehicles directly assisting in transporting goods and disaster relief services in seven Southeastern states.
Biden to Oil Industry: Don’t Raise Prices as Hurricane Nears
President Joe Biden on Sept. 28 warned oil and gas companies against increasing prices for consumers as Hurricane Ian neared landfall along Florida’s southwest coast.
Hurricane Ian Nears Florida Landfall
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Hurricane Ian rapidly intensified as it neared landfall along Florida’s southwest coast Sept. 28, gaining top winds of 155 mph (250 kph), just shy of the most dangerous Category 5 status. Damaging winds and rain lashed the state, and the heavily populated Naples to Sarasota region was at highest risk of a devastating storm surge.
Rail Union That Rejected Deal Signs New Tentative Agreement
OMAHA, Neb. — A union that rejected its deal with the nation’s freight railroads earlier this month now has a new tentative agreement, but officials cautioned that the contract dispute won’t be fully settled until all 12 rail unions approve their agreements this fall.
North Dakota Is Creating Its First Combo Freight, Rail Plan
North Dakota is joining a handful of states that are merging their long-term freight and rail plans into a single document to maximize multimodal synergies and streamline federal reporting requirements.
Hurricane Ian May Be Among Costliest Storms in US History
Hurricane Ian is poised to become one of the costliest storms in U.S. history, threatening to slam Florida’s western coastline with 125 mph winds.