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ATA: FMCSA SPIN OUT OF CONTROL ON HOURS-OF- SERVICE REPORT A m e r i c a n T r u c k i n g A s s o c i a t i o n s chided the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for ignoring the bulk of the Government Accountability Office's report on the agency's 2013 hours-of-ser- vice changes, choosing instead to cherry pick a handful of points in a desperate effort to influence lawmakers. "It is unfortunate that rather than present an accurate and balanced charac- terization of the GAO report, FMCSA is once again living in Spin City," said ATA Executive Vice President Dave Osiecki. FMCSA cherry-picked four findings in a press release, claiming the GAO study found: Fewer fatal crashes Fewer drivers working the maxi- mum schedules Lower risk of driver fatigue No increase in crashes during the 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. morning rush hour However, the full GAO report said: On crashes, including FMCSA's "fewer fatal crashes" from its press release – GAO says "Without additional data over a longer period of time, we are unable to robustly determine whether the HOS rule had an impact on crashes" (see Appendix VII, page 115) On FMCSA's "fewer drivers work- ing the maximum schedules" comment – GAO says "Findings are not representa- tive of the motor carrier industry and are not generalizable." (see Table 2, page 26) On FMCSA's "lower risk of driver fatigue"—"We found the field study's sample size was insufficient to estimate statistically significant differences in the primary fatigue measure—the PVT— for each of these industry segments and times." (see Appendix II, page 58) "Fatigue analysis is based on simu- lated schedules, is not representative of the motor carrier industry, and is not gen- eralizable" (see Table 2, page 26) "While we agree that evidence gen- erally supports that fatigue and crash risk are related, we are uncertain how fatigue differences of the size reported in the field study would be associated with crash risk. Thus, the safety implications and pol- icy importance of the study's estimated effects on fatigue may be overstated." In large part, FMCSA justified its July 2013 hours of service rules not with safety benefits, but by claiming hundreds of mil- lions of dollars in assumed health benefits. GAO found: "There are no data available to assess the health effects of the rule." (see Table 2, page 26) "Motor carriers and drivers reported no noticeable positive health effects from the rule." (see Table 2, page 26) With respect to its prior field study, GAO also said: "These shortcomings leave the agency open to criticism over the integrity of the study and invite skepticism about the results." (see page 42) "Not only did FMCSA's field study shortcomings invite criticism," said O s i e c k i , " s o t o o d o e s t h e a g e n c y ' s attempt to spin the GAO findings. The public must have trust in its government. Unfortunately, FMCSA's continued spin does not invite that trust." API CALLS ON CANDIDATES TO OUTLINE THEIR VISION FOR AMERICA'S ENERGY FUTURE API urged candidates at the upcom- ing presidential debates to outline their vision for harnessing the economic and national security opportunities created by America's energy revolution. "We can pursue an American future of energy abundance, self-determination and global leadership or take a step back to an era of scarcity, dependence and uncer- tainty," said API President and CEO Jack Gerard during a conference call with reporters. "We're calling on candidates— Republican and Democrat alike—to share with voters their vision for harnessing this American energy moment. "Make no mistake—America's role as an energy superpower is not ensured. We've seen the mission creep of federal agencies on full display under this administration. Thousands of pages of new roadblocks and mandates are making their way through the regulatory pipeline. We can- not afford for our next president to be blinded to the opportunities in front of us by a stale mindset of '70s-era scarcity. That is why those who seek to represent us must go beyond the talking points and outline a clear vision for energy that will advance our nation's economy, security and standard of living. NATIONAL BIODIESEL BOARD SUBMITS RFS COMMENTS The National Biodiesel Board has called on the EPA to strengthen its proposal for biodiesel volumes under the Renewable Fuel Standard. In extensive comments submitted to the agency on the pending RFS rule, NBB cited compelling benefits of increased biodiesel production and significant addi- tional capacity for growth in the industry. "The growth and expansion of the U.S. biodiesel industry in recent years represents a tremendous success story www.fueloilnews.com | FUEL OIL NEWS | SEPTEMBER 2015 3 DATELINE • ATA: FMCSA Spin Out of Control on Hours-of-Service Report • API Calls on Candidates to Outline Their Vision for America's Energy Future • National Biodiesel Board Submits RFS Comments • Renewable Energy Group to Acquire Imperium Renewables FUELS/EIA - pg 11 • Onspot Hires New VP Eric Jones BUSINESS OPERATIONS - pg 26 • Valley Energy Welcomes Michael Vertetis • Hudson Valley Oil & Energy Council 26 th Annual Person of the Year Dinner Dance Date and Honoree Announced • AEC 2015 Marketing Campaign, Midyear Update HVAC/HYDRONICS - pg 36 • Field Controls Welcomes New Engineering Manager • Dongan Electric Moves Its Corporate Headquarters • Bacharach Announces Sales/Marketing Leadership Changes Featured News DATELINE BREAKING NEWS