Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/510235
COMMERCIAL CARRIER JOURNAL | MAY 2015 13 JOURNAL NEWS T he Coalition for Transportation Productivity called on the railroad- funded Coalition Against Bigger Trucks to fully disclose its lobbying activities fol- lowing news reports that questioned some of the group's tactics. "The railroad industry is spending millions of dollars to block truck weight reform and other trucking productiv- ity efforts, but much of its campaign is predicated on creating appearances that don't hold up," said John Runyan, CTP executive director. "The Coalition Against Bigger Trucks is organized and funded by the rail industry, yet it doesn't provide transparency or public disclosure of its activities to Congress." The group reportedly sent former law enforcement officials and other local offi- cials to Washington, D.C., to lobby with- out disclosing any ties to the railroad. "The railroad industry has made truck productivity a 'truck-vs.-rail' issue," Runyan said. "The reality is that shippers prefer to use rail whenever they can, but they need safe solutions to mitigate the current trucking capacity crisis that is challenging U.S. companies and motorists alike." During the last Congress, the Safe and Efficient Transportation Act was intro- duced by U.S. Reps. Reid Ribble (R-Wis.) and Michael Michaud (D-Maine). The bipartisan legislation would give each state the option to set interstate weight limits of up to 97,000 pounds, up from 80,000. The new increased weight limit would apply to tractor-trailers equipped with six axles instead of five. In 2012, Congress passed legisla- tion requiring the U.S. Department of Transportation to conduct a study about the implications of allowing bigger and heavier trucks on the road. Four members of Congress – Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J) and Reps. James McGovern (D-Mass.) and Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) – already have contested the yet-to-be-released study. "It is troubling that DOT could release a study that recommends bigger, heavier trucks that will lead to more potholes and even greater problems – like safety risks, environmental damage and economic harm – not to mention higher infrastruc- ture expenses," the legislators wrote. CTP responded by saying "opponents of truck productivity are rushing to attack the findings of a study that has yet to be released." – Matt Cole Howes Extendable Flashlight when you purchase 3 bottles of Howes Meaner Power Kleaner Visit www.howeslube.com or call 1-800 GET HOWES Offer ends: 9/30/15, available while supplies last. Howes Meaner Power Kleaner is expertly formulated to clean the most stubborn injector deposits, even on the new High Pressure Common Rail systems. Meaner Power Kleaner eliminates these performance-robbing deposits with a specially designed detergent package that maximizes your power and fuel economy while adding lubricity to eliminate sticky friction in pumps and injectors. And it's backed by one of the best guarantees in the business – no bull. More power with less emissions Cleans tanks, lines – the whole fuel system Minimum 5% boost in fuel economy – Guaranteed Enhanced lubricity for less wear Warranty-safe for all diesel emission systems including DOC Removes water harmlessly NO-BULL, IT WORKS. FREE! Coalition backing heavier trucks calls out railroad lobby