A U.S. District Judge cleared the air last week, allowing for the Port of Los Angeles to move forward with its Clean Truck Program. The American Trucking Associations (ATA) had challenged the move, contending the program did not comply with federal laws governing interstate commerce and transportation safety. Port officials expressed optimism that the ruling would make it possible for them to expand the port, while enforcing emissions standards. But they are waiting Continue Reading

On Monday, UPS offered customers the option of paying a small fee to calculate and offset carbon emissions associated with their shipments. The carbon neutral shipping program is available in 35 countries and territories across Europe, Asia and the Americas through all shippers at UPS.com, online retailers, The UPS Store and other retail locations. For the initial launch, the company purchased offsets from the Continue Reading

Four of California’s heavy-traffic trade corridors will benefit from $200 million in voter-approved Proposition 1B funds to help reduce emissions from heavy-duty trucks, locomotives and railyards, commercial harbor craft and other sources. The Los Angeles/Inland Empire, Central Valley, Bay Area and San Diego/Border regions were Continue Reading

With a goal of improving efficiency and reducing costs, Dean Foods plans to remove 50,000 metric tons of carbon from its transportation system by 2013, the equivalent of removing 9,500 cars from the road. Taking one step toward that goal, the nation’s largest dairy processor unveiled a new delivery vehicle equipped with a new prototype truck refrigeration system developed by Thermo King. The electric-powered refrigeration units replace Continue Reading

A recent study of greenhouse gas and emissions reporting methods by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) found “big picture” inconsistencies. For example, the trucking industry uses the Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay Partnership model, which results in only small calculations differences. However, simply judging the eco-friendliness of a fleet based on those numbers would be misleading, according to the study, as it accounts for only the Continue Reading

A motion that would have given the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the power to regulate greenhouse gas emissions was defeated by the Senate by slimmest of margins late last week. The resolution, defeated by a 53-47 vote would have given the EPA authority to make rules regarding reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The defeat, however, signaled to President Obama the need for Continue Reading

A study to analyze the impact of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) fuel efficiency program seeks the input of federal, state and local agencies, Indian tribes and the public to help identify environmental issues and reasonable alternatives. Comments are directed to take into account the unique demands of heavy-duty applications, as well as the structure of the trucking Continue Reading

Effective June 1, the Canadian province of Alberta will make available $2 million in incentives for truckers who choose to invest in fuel-saving technologies. The program’s eligible technologies include: trailer skirts and fairings ($500); end fairings ($500); cab heaters ($400); auxiliary power units ($1,500); gap fairings ($300); and Continue Reading

For Class 8 trucks, hybrid engine technology is years away, but already in other medium- and heavy-duty applications, the innovation is paying off, and not just with fuel savings of 30 percent or more. Shorter downtimes, simple maintenance and mile after environmentally friendly mile for forward thinking fleets are among the bonuses for the Continue Reading

The addition of 50 hybrid delivery trucks in the Philadelphia area brings UPS Inc.’s total fleet of low-emission and alternative-fuel vehicles to 20,000. Delivery routes in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston and Phoenix have already incorporated hybrid trucks, and plans call for the addition of more in eight U.S. cities. The carrier is estimating that these 200 hybrids will help Continue Reading