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.
Port of Oakland AB 5 Protests Wind Down
Operations at the Port of Oakland have resumed after being paused in the wake of protests from independent truck drivers unhappy with a state law that would reclassify them as employees of motor carriers.
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New Rule to Thwart Railroad Efforts to Cut Train Crews
OMAHA, Neb. — Railroads will be required to maintain two-person crews under a new rule announced July 27 that will thwart industry efforts to cut crews down to one person.
Senators Call for Sanctions on Russian Oil Sales to China
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) wants the U.S. to sanction China’s purchases of oil and other energy supplies from Russia in an effort to cut off funding for that country’s war against Ukraine.
FMCSA Accepting Carrier Applications for Apprenticeship Driver Pilot
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration as of July 26 is accepting applications from motor carriers interested in participating in the agency’s Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program for 18- to 20-year-old truck drivers to operate interstate.
DOE Lends $2.5 Billion to GM Venture for EV Batteries
WASHINGTON — A joint venture between General Motors and South Korean battery company LG Energy Solution is set to receive a $2.5 billion loan from the Energy Department to build battery cell factories for electric vehicles in three states.
Senate Sets Up $52 Billion Semiconductor Vote
A $52 billion boost to the U.S. domestic semiconductor industry moved one step closer to reality July 26 when the Senate advanced legislation providing grants, incentives and tax breaks to the sector and set it up for final passage this week.
Researchers to Study Truck Parking in Iowa, Wisconsin
Researchers from the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI), the University of Wisconsin-Madison and ParkUnload are conducting a truck parking pilot study to better understand how truck drivers use existing parking spaces and to test the benefits of using a mobile parking app.
July 26, 2022Consumer Confidence Slides for Third Straight Month in July
WASHINGTON — U.S. consumer confidence slid again in July as higher prices for food, gas and just about everything else continued to weigh on Americans.
Diesel Drops 16.4¢ in Latest Double-Digit Decline
Diesel’s national average price continued its downward path, shedding 16.4 cents to $5.268, according to Energy Information Administration data released July 25.
Trucker AB 5 Blockade Ends at Port of Oakland
Fruit, nuts and wine are again flowing through the Port of Oakland after truckers quietly ended a multiday blockade over the weekend amid a crackdown on AB 5 protesters by port authorities.