Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/56062
logbook Court to rule on low-carbon fuel States considering a Low Carbon Fuel Standard will be watching the federal 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to see if it will overturn a lower court's decision against allowing enforcement of the standard that opponents say will significantly hike fuel costs. The appellate court has set an April 16 deadline for the California Air Resources Board to file its opening brief after the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California court refused to suspend judgments. The court also refused to suspend a preliminary injunction against CARB enforcing the standard. Two years ago, the American Trucking Associations, refiners and fuel production companies filed suit against the board's LCFS, which began last year and had been set to become significantly stricter in January 2013 and again in 2015. Late last year, the Western States Petroleum Association and the California Trucking Association issued separate statements expressing concern over projected fuel cost hikes resulting from LCFS. — Jill Dunn CALIFORNIA. Electrical power pedes- tals will be added this year to six truck stops and travel centers along the I-5 corridor, including five in the state. The locations will be Flying J Travel Plazas in Bakersfield, Lebec and Lodi, and Pilot Travel Centers in Dunnigan and Weed. The installations will be part of the federal Shorepower Truck Electrification Project. IDAHO. A bill by Sen. Jim Hammond (R-Coeur d'Alene) would increase inter- state truck speed limits from 65 mph to 75 mph, matching that of cars. MICHIGAN. State lawmakers are consid- ering replacing the state excise tax on diesel with a wholesale tax. The tax would rise and fall depending on the pump price, but would be limited to a maximum 1 percent annual change. NEW HAMPSHIRE. A bill would raise the speed limit to 70 mph from 65 mph on interstates. Where the interstate limit is 55 mph, the bill would increase the limit to 60 mph. The New Hampshire Turnpike limit of 65 mph would not change. NORTH CAROLINA. State transportation officials are aiming to toll I-95 under a pilot program administered by the Federal Highway Administration. NCDOT would use toll revenue to widen and reconstruct the interstate. The agency held seven public meetings in February to receive com- ments on the proposed electronic system. 76 OVERDRIVE MARCH 2012 TRUCKING OPPORTUNITIES HIGHW A Y HAPPENING S