Government

The U.S. Postal Service plans to substantially increase the number of electric-powered vehicles it’s buying to replace its fleet of aging delivery trucks, officials said July 20.

NEW YORK — When longhaul trucker Deb LaBree sets out on the road to deliver pharmaceuticals, she has strategies to hold down costs. She avoids the West Coast and the Northeast, where diesel prices are highest. She organizes her delivery route to minimize “deadheading” — driving an empty truck in between deliveries.

New York received an overall “C” grade for the condition of its infrastructure in the latest report card from the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Most U.S. cities will pour their share of the federal infrastructure spending package into fixing crumbling roads and bridges, prioritizing motor vehicle infrastructure over other projects like public transit, airports and railways.

Over 100 truck drivers showed up at the Port of Oakland in California on July 18, not to move cargo but to protest a state labor law they say could end their independence — and their livelihood.

Providing incentives for trucks to use hydrogen is one of four new laws that took effect in July to counter climate change and boost clean energy in Hawaii.

Current or abandoned mines are being considered by the U.S. Department of Energy for experimental clean energy sites below the earth’s surface in a new $500 million grant program.

Legislation designed to increase parking access for the nation’s truck drivers is scheduled for debate before the House Transportation and Infrastructure panel July 20.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen called on “trusted” U.S. allies to strengthen trade relationships to shore up global supply chains disrupted by the pandemic, worsened by Russia’s war in Ukraine and threatened longer term by a reliance on China.

A drive in the Senate to quickly pass $52 billion in grants and incentives for U.S. semiconductor manufacturing picked up steam in Congress despite last-minute lobbying for changes.