A.M. Executive Briefing - Dec. 10
This Morning's Headlines:
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Richardson Won't Rule Out Strategic Oil Reserve Sales
The federal government is set to consider "all contingencies" should oil prices continue to rise significantly, said Energy Secretary Bill Richardson, including selling Strategic Petroleum Reserve oil should the price hit crisis levels. But he emphasized the government's desire to allow the free market to address the problem. He earlier did not want to sell oil from the strategic reserve because, he said, it was intended for handling issues of national security only. Wall Street Journal (12/10/99) P. B10Back on Her Feet
Foxcraft Tampa mechanics have spent the week working around the clock to fix owner-operator Bridget Neumann's gasoline tanker which burned late Sunday when a cigarette was flicked in her direction as she unloaded the gasoline. As early as Friday, she could be working again.
Foxcraft, which for over a year has counted Neumann among its customers, will pay for any of the repair costs that insurance does not pay. She did ask the mechanics to "Move the fire extinguisher near the door, so I can just reach in and grab it."
Authorities have set a $2,500 reward for help finding and convicting the sport-utility vehicle driver who flicked the cigarette. St. Petersburg Times (12/10/99) P. 1B; Gibson, Linda
Washington Wire
The Teamsters will probably not endorse a candidate for president until Congress votes whether to give China normal trading status; the union, against such a status for China, is also interested in next month's decision on Mexican truckers in the United States.
he union wants to push Vice President Gore as hard as possible, and, in addition, holding off an endorsement will afford George W. Bush another opportunity to get together with the executive board of the union. The board is to meet next month.
The White House is trying to get the vote on China's status as early next year as possible, and President Clinton's chief of staff is to meet Monday with higher-ups from business groups. Wall Street Journal (12/10/99) P. A1; Shafer, Ronald G.
UPS Worldwide Signs Asia Pacific Logistics Deal
UPS Worldwide Logistics Asia and Lucent Technologies Singapore have entered into a deal in which UPS WWL will handle certain logistics and distribution functions for Lucent in the Asia/Pacific zone and operate a Singapore spare-parts depot. Journal of Commerce Online (12/09/99)Route Plan Finally on Council Agenda
San Antonio could finally pass a hazmat-routing plan for the city after over 20 years of work. The city has been prompted by the Wednesday wreck of a hydrochloric-acid tanker on a freeway in the downtown area that led to thousands of people being evacuated.Should the council back the plan in December, a public comment period could begin in January, said Mayor Howard Peak. Also desired is backing from Bexar County and cities that the route would impact. The entire process, including a final okay from the state Transportation Department, could last a year and a half.
The current draft of the plan would keep hazmat carriers off Loop 1604 and highways within Loop 410 unless bound for local destinations. Hazmat carriers would be kept off portions of Interstates 10 and 35 entirely. San Antonio Express-News (12/09/99) P. 1A; Needham, Jerry
Graves Reappoints Claus to Corporation Commission
Despite speculation that Kansas Gov. Bill Graves was eyeing onetime Secretary of State Jack Brier for the state's trucking, rail, and utility regulatory agency, the Corporation Commission, he reappointed Cynthia Claus. She was an interim commissioner since the expiration of former commissioner Tim McKee's term in March; she had been filling McKee's spot on the commission since 1997.If the Senate confirms Claus' appointment, she will serve on the commission until March 2003, since her time as an interim commissioner will be included in the regular term of four years. Claus, a former ARCO Pipe Line lawyer, has worked hard in support of utility consumers, according Citizens' Utility Ratepayer Board consumer counsel Walker Hendrix. Associated Press (12/09/99) ; Miles, David
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