Government

About Government News...

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.

Government, Business

August Housing Starts Plunge 6.2%

New home construction plunged 6.2% in August, the Commerce Department said Wednesday.

September 17, 2008

TT Podcasts: RoadSigns

Greg Hewitt of DHL Express considers whether the trucking industry is prepared for a greener future.

Government, Business, Fuel

House Passes Energy Bill Allowing More Offshore Drilling

The House late Tuesday approved a bill that legislation that would open more offshore areas for oil and oil and natural gas drilling, pending states’ approval, the Associated Press reported.

September 17, 2008
Fuel, Business, Logistics, Government

Diesel Drops 3.6¢ to $4.023; Gasoline Jumps 18.7¢ to $3.835

Despite a major hurricane on Texas’ Gulf Coast this weekend, diesel fuel’s national average price fell for the ninth straight week, dropping 3.6 cents to $4.023 a gallon, but gasoline’s average jumped 18.7 cents, the Department of Energy said Monday.

September 16, 2008
Business, Government

Consumer Price Index Falls for First Time in Two Years

Consumer prices fell in August for the first time in almost two years, the Labor Department said Tuesday.

September 16, 2008
Business, Fuel, Government

Oil Continues to Fall; DOE Approves Some SPR Releases

Oil prices continued to fall Tuesday, dropping below $92 a barrel in early trading, while Department of Energy approved oil releases from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to help refineries left with supply shortages due to Hurricane Ike, Bloomberg reported.

September 16, 2008
Business, Government, Safety, Technology, Equipment

PeopleNet’s eDriver Logs to Integrate with McLeod’s LoadMaster Software

PeopleNet, which provides onboard communications and fleet management systems, said Monday it is integrating its eDriver Logs automated driver log application with LoadMaster dispatch and enterprise software from McLeod Software.

September 15, 2008
Business, Government, Safety, Logistics

EPA Allows California to Require On-Board Diagnostics in 2010

In a sweeping decision with possible national implications, the Environmental Protection Agency has granted California a waiver that will allow state environmental regulators to implement stringent new heavy-duty vehicle and engine onboard diagnostics requirements for 2010 engines and beyond.

September 15, 2008
Fuel, Business, Government

EU Sets 10% Biofuels Requirement

The European Parliament’s energy committee voted to require that at least 10% of road transport fuel in 2020 come from renewable sources led by biofuels, while adding checks to prevent food shortages, Bloomberg reported.

September 15, 2008
Business, Government

New York Manufacturing Index Shows Contraction

Manufacturing growth in New York state declined this month, showing contraction, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said Monday.

September 15, 2008
Business, Government, Safety

Highway Coalition Applauds Rejection of Pa. I-80 Tolls

A coalition of highway users including American Trucking Associations applauded the U.S. Department of Transportation’s decision last week to reject tolls on Interstate 80 in Pennsylvania, though a truckers group in that state warned that officials may seek to privatize the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

September 15, 2008