ATA Asks Energy Dept. for Biweekly Fuel Price Reports

merican Trucking Associations has asked the U.S. Department of Energy to direct the Energy Information Administration to report fuel prices twice weekly until fuel price volatility eases.

Separately, ATA said Wednesday that the trucking industry will spend will spend an unprecedented $85 billion on fuel this year, marking a $23 billion increase over 2004.

"In light of very volatile fuel prices, it would be extremely helpful if you directed EIA to report prices twice a week until fuel pricing becomes more stable," ATA President Bill Graves wrote in letter sent Tuesday to Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman.

DOE currently issues fuel reports for diesel and gasoline retail prices every Monday.

In revising the trucking industry’s projected fuel costs for 2005 in light of the energy impact caused by Hurricane Katrina, ATA said its projections underscored the effect rising fuel costs are having on the trucking industry, and ultimately the national economy.

“These projections highlight the severity of the situation we are now facing,” Graves said. “Congress needs to ensure that the industry has access to enough fuel at reasonable prices so that motor carriers can continue to deliver America. Steps must be taken to reduce the magnitude of recent price spikes.”

ATA last week asked truckers to contact Congress to let officials know how the high fuel prices are hurting the industry.

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