P.M. Executive Briefing -- May 30
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This Afternoons Headlines:
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U.S. High Court to Look at Cost-Benefit Study of EPA Smog Regs
The U.S. Supreme Court today broadened its review of a major industry challenge to the Environmental Protection Agency on air pollution standards. The Reuters news agency reports the justices agreed to hear arguments, proposed by industry, that a cost-benefit analysis should be used in the EPA rules. This follows the court's decision last week to review a case to determine whether the EPA overstepped its authority when it imposed the national standards in 1997. A wide range of business groups, from trucking companies to electric utilities, have challenging the tough new EPA standards designed to curb fine soot and urban smog, Reuters noted. Transport Topics StaffEPA Diesel Rules May Affect Consumers
The Chattanooga, Tenn. region expects the Environmental Protection Agency's proposed diesel-emissions rules will bring the area not only cleaner air but higher fuel costs, higher shipping costs, and increased spending by municipalities buying new trucks and buses. Greg Thompson of U.S. Xpress said the manufacturers will pass the extra costs of the cleaner engines to the trucking companies, and the shipping companies will pass down the extra costs to the final consumers. Just by itself, the Hamilton County school system operates 160 buses, which are mostly diesel, while the city of Chattanooga runs garbage trucks, construction trucks, heavy equipment. The American Petroleum Institute's president Ed Cavaney called the EPA proposal "extreme" and "unrealistic," but the EPA disagrees. Advanced Vehicle Systems President Rick Hitchcock said vehicles with cleaner fuel alternatives, like the ones his company sells, will be in higher demand under the new standard. Hitchcock added the internal combustion engines are cheap "because the cost of cleaning it up is spread to your lungs and my lungs." Hitchcock said that people will eventually get used to paying higher up-front costs, which he said will make up for lower eventual medical costs. Chattanooga Times & Free Press Online (05/30/00) ; Sohn, Pam
New Georgia DOT Commissioner Says He's No Puppet for Governor
While Georgia Gov. Roy Barnes chose former state legislator Tom Coleman to be the commissioner of the state Transportation Department, Barnes says he will run the department his way and not be a puppet for the governor. Coleman -- who, like Barnes, is a Democrat -- spent 14 years as a state senator, chairing of the Senate Transportation Committee for 12 of those years. Coleman is also a former chairman of the Chatham County Commission and a former member of the Savannah City Council. Regarding how the DOT under Coleman will cooperate with the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority, created last year to manage transportation planning in metro Atlanta and other areas currently not in compliance with federal Clean Air rules, Coleman says he sees the DOT as the GRTA's "construction arm." As for the length of his service as DOT commissioner, Coleman said he will commit to one-year intervals, but would like to stay six years, since that would be equivalent to the end of two terms with Barnes as governor. Associated Press (05/30/00) ; Pettys, DickGE Capital Fleet Services Launches Web-Based Fleet Reporting
GE Capital Fleet Services has added a Web-based reporting tool tots fleet management system Your Office @ Fleet. The service, which presently offers basic, advanced, subscription, and e-mail reporting, is expected to eliminate about 600,000 pieces of paper a month. Canada NewsWire (05/30/00)
Aggressive Inspection Policy Nets Savings for Transport Service Co.
Illinois-based liquid bulk carrier Transport Service Co. has remained successful by paying close attention to details, such as noticing faded decals on trucks so the problem can be corrected immediately. It can also be helpful to turn to truckmakers'newest technologies; the company recently went to main supplier Mack Trucks with a list of the company's needs and drivers' desires, and Mack integrated solutions to the company's needs in the new Vision CX model tractor. Transport Service's technicians maintain trucks in factory condition and replace worn, broken, or damaged parts as soon as they are found in maintenance checks. The company also conducts a thorough standard inspection with over 100 different points, recording such matters as suspension ride height, coolant levels, and alternator output and voltage. Extending the PM interval to 70 days or 20,000 miles has allowed the company to save between $100,000 and $150,000 a year, spread out over 500 trucks. The company's strategy of catching potential failures before they happen saves money by keeping trucks out of local repair shops. In order to retain large shippers, the company has changed specs on trucks to reduce weight as much as possible, and says each year fleets can identify small ways to reduce weight that add up over time. Fleet Equipment (05/00) Vol. 26, No. 5; P. 64Independent Insurers Support HOS Rule Change
David Golden, director of commercial lines for the National Association of Independent Insurers, says the association backs the proposed federal hours of service rule for truckers. The bill's sponsor, U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater, hopes that by limiting the number of hours truck drivers can spend on the road, driver fatigue will be lowered, thus making roads safer. "It is critical that a balance be found that allows truckers to operate efficiently while not compromising safety," Golden said. Insurance West (05/15/00) Vol. 67, No. 10; P. 23© copyright 2000 INFORMATION, INC. Terms of Service
