CTA teams with SoCalGas on natural gas initiative

CTA teams with SoCalGas on natural gas initiative

The California Trucking Association (CTA) has joined forces with Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) to increase awareness of the economic and environmental benefits of natural gas and alternative fuels in the heavy-duty trucking industry. “We recognize the critical importance of the trucking industry to California and value the hard work of truck owner-operators, fleet owner-operators,…

House passes transportation appropriations bill

House passes transportation appropriations bill

Earlier this month, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) bill, commonly referred to as THUD. Lawmakers approved the $55.3 billion measure by a razor-thin margin, 216-210, after rejecting amendments from Democrats that would have increased funding for Amtrak and the D.C. Metro,…

President signs two-month extension of highway bill

President signs two-month extension of highway bill

President Obama somewhat reluctantly signed a two-month extension to the highway bill last week, but he wasn’t happy about it. “It is the president’s view that the era of short-term patches and chronic under-investment in our transportation infrastructure must come to an end,” said White House spokesman Josh Earnest. Obama previously proposed a six-year, $478…

NTSB calls for action on collision avoidance systems

NTSB calls for action on collision avoidance systems

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is pushing the automotive and trucking industry to adopt life-saving collision avoidance technology sooner than later, according to a recent NTSB report. “You don’t pay extra for your seatbelt,” said Chairman Christopher A. Hart. “And you shouldn’t have to pay extra for technology that can help prevent a collision…

Environmental study raises questions on natural gas conversion

Environmental study raises questions on natural gas conversion

A study published last month in the journal Environmental Science and Technology raises questions about truck fleets switching from diesel to natural gas. The study, “The Influence of Methane Emissions and Vehicle Efficiency on the Climate Implications of Heavy-Duty Natural Gas Trucks,” was conducted by the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and Columbia University’s Lenfest Center…