Diesel prices soar past $3/gallon
For the first time in more than a year, average diesel prices across the U.S. are higher than $3 per gallon, according to the Department of Energy’s weekly report.
The U.S.’ average price for a gallon of on-highway diesel for the week ending March 1 is $3.072, up 9.9 cents over the previous week. Fuel prices are at their highest mark since the first week of 2020 when prices were at the year s high of $3.079, according to DOE.
During the most recent week, prices increased in all regions with the most significant increase being seen in the Rocky Mountain region, where prices jumped by 12.7 cents.
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An Eisenhower-era regulation forbidding commercial activity at interstate rest stops has found itself in a new age, one where truckers want an end to rest stop shutdowns and environmentalists want easily accessible electric charging along the highways as the green movement accelerates.
The federal government has regulated interstate highway rest stops since 1956, and they cannot have fueling stations or restaurants, with some exceptions. But Congress introduced legislation in the form of H.R. 2 The Moving Forward Act that would permit electric vehicle charging at rest areas. It passed the House in 2020, and it could later be tucked into President Joe Biden s $2 trillion plan for infrastructure and climate.
William P. Bahnfleth, professor of architectural engineering, recently testified as an expert witness during the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure’s hearing on “Protecting Transportation Workers and Passengers from COVID: Gaps in Safety, Lessons Learned, and Next Steps."
Wyoming Reintroduces Bill for Tolls on Interstate 80
The Wyoming statehouse is reintroducing legislation that would toll Interstate 80 to cover costs for improvement to the interstate. The legislation was previously offered up during the 2020 regular session before it was voted down.
In 2020, Senators voted 18-11 against the introduction of the bill to toll Interstate 80. The reintroduced bill has advanced to the Senate Transportation Committee this year. According to officials from the Wyoming Department of Transportation, a $40 million shortfall is needing to be addressed that is used just for highway maintenance. WYDOT officials have also suggested reconstruction of the I-25 Interchange in Cheyenne, as well as more truck parking and climbing lanes for the interstate.
Former small-fleet owner sentenced to probation for falsifying logs
The former owner of a Woonsocket, Rhode Island-based trucking company was sentenced to three years of probation – which includes six months of home confinement – 50 hours of community service, a $1,000 find and a $100 special assessment for falsifying federal records.
Damir Sisic, the owner of now-defunct Sisic Transport Service LLC, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to falsify federal records in October 2020. According to the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, Sisic allegedly conspired to falsify the hours of service listed in STS drivers electronic logs from January 2018 through May 2019. STS truck drivers were routinely exceeding the maximum number of driving hours and on-duty hours, without spending the required hours off-duty, OIG said.