The Fleet Business Authority
Issue link: http://heavydutytrucking.epubxp.com/i/236631
WASHINGTONreport American Trucking Associations said other shortcomings in the CSA system still need to be addressed. While ATA supports CSA's objectives, it is concerned about flaws in the data and methodology that show up in the accuracy and reliability of carrier's scores, said ATA President and CEO Bill Graves. According to research cited by ATA, scores in at least three of the system's measurement categories don't bear a positive correlation to crash risk. Even in those categories that generally have a positive correlation to crash risk, the research points out that there are tens of thousands of real-world "exceptions," carriers with high scores and low crash rates and vice-versa. "It may make sense for FMCSA to use scores in those categories that correlate positively with crash risk to prioritize companies for enforcement review," Graves said. "In the process, FMCSA can verify whether or not the scores paint an accurate picture. But third parties need to know that for the purposes of drawing conclusions about individual carriers, the scores are unreliable." EPA proposes to cut renewable fuel requirements t The Environmental Protection The agency The EPA proposes cutting proposes cutAgency is proposing to cut the volrenewable fuel from the ting renewable ume of renewable fuels next year. The agency is required to set original level of 18.15 fuel from the annual standards for cellulosic, original level billion gallons to 15.21 of 18.15 bilbiomass-based diesel, advanced biofuel and total renewables. It gave lion gallons to billion gallons. two reasons why it needs to reduce 15.21 billion the percentage of these fuels next year. gallons. Cellulosic biofuel First, although production of renewables has been would go from 1.75 billion to increasing, overall gasoline fuel consumption is less than 17 million gallons. Advanced Congress expected when it established the program. biofuel, of which biodiesel is a Second, there are limits to how much ethanol can readily subset, would go from 3.75 bilbe blended into gasoline. lion to 2.2 billion gallons. The move by EPA to reduce renewable fuel volumes "These adjustments are intended to put the program on was met with concern. Creation of freight network a manageable trajectory while not an easy mark supporting growth in renewable fuels over time," EPA said. n last year's highway bill, Congress said it wants But biodiesel interests sounded an alarm. the Department of Transportation to set a place for The National Biodiesel Board, which represents biofreight at the transportation policy table. diesel manufacturers and users, warned that the cutback This first-ever recognition of freight's central role will cost jobs and lead to plant closures. in the national transportation system launched a "This proposal, if it becomes final, would create a multi-year effort by DOT to measure the scope and shrinking market, eliminate thousands of jobs and likely distance of goods movement, as a way to establish cause biodiesel plants to close across the country," said priorities and set goals. Anne Steckel, vice president of federal affairs for the NBB. The first step in that process, defining a highwayThe proposed cut means the effective market in 2014 based Primary Freight Network, is underway now, will be closer to 1 billion gallons than to 1.28 billion, bebut it turns out that tracing a Primary Freight Netcause of a carryover from 2013 inventory, the NBB said. work is not a simple thing. "Our industry has been running recently at 170 In its preliminary draft, the DOT found that the million gallons a month, an annualized rate of 2 billion network needs to be bigger than the 27,000 miles gallons," Steckel said. "This proposal could nearly cut Congress stipulated. Other refinements are needed that in half." as well. For an in-depth look, go to www.truckinginfo. EPA is reviewing comments on its proposal, and says it com/freightnetwork ■ is open to alternatives. I 14 HDT • JANUARY 2014 www.truckinginfo.com