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 Port Arthur Plans for $20 Million Expansion in 2023-24
Port of Port Arthur, Texas, will receive $13.6 million in a federal USDOT grant that port officials say will significantly upgrade the East Texas facility during the next year.
Containership Backlog Outside L.A. Ports Is Almost Cleared
The number of containerships headed for the California ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach — a traffic jam that once symbolized American consumer vigor during the pandemic — declined to the lowest level since the bottleneck started to build two years ago.
Three of 12 Rail Unions Announce Tentative Deal
OMAHA, Neb. — Three of the 12 unions negotiating with the nation’s biggest freight railroads have reached a tentative deal that will deliver 24% pay raises, in line with what a special presidential panel of arbitrators recommended earlier this month to resolve the stalemate before a strike could happen.
Diesel Surges 20.6¢ to $5.115 a Gallon
Diesel’s nine-week run of declines abruptly ended as trucking’s main fuel rose 20.6 cents a gallon to put the national average cost back over $5, according to Energy Information Administration data released Aug. 29.
August 29, 2022N.J. Gasoline Tax to Drop 1 Cent on Better-Than-Forecast Demand
New Jersey is cutting an automotive fuel tax by 1 cent per gallon after consumer demand was higher than projected, state Treasurer Elizabeth Muoio announced.
FMCSA Seeks Input on Request to Post Hair Drug Tests to Clearinghouse
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is seeking comment on a request by an alliance of large motor carriers for an exemption that would permit the carriers to report “actual knowledge” of a truck driver’s positive hair drug test to the agency’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse.
Congestion Tolling Likely in New York City Business District
New York City officials are exploring congestion-based tolling scenarios to fund mass transit that could see commercial trucks charged $82 for a one-way drive through the business district.
Diesel Supply Below Average in Northeast
PORTLAND, Maine — Diesel and heating oil supplies in the Northeast are more than 50% below the recent average, raising concerns that an extreme weather event could cause supply disruptions, federal officials said.
Shipping Giant CMA CGM Sees Softening of Global Freight Rates
French container line giant CMA CGM SA is seeing an across-the-board drop in shipping rates and a loosening of logistics bottlenecks in some regions as demand softens.
Biden Administration Urges Fuel Export Cuts to Restock Northeast
The Biden administration is warning refiners that it may take “emergency measures” to address fuel exports as stockpiles of gasoline and diesel fuel remain near historically low levels in the Northeast.
August 26, 2022