ATA Backs Fuel-Economy Standard as Preferred Means to Reduce Carbon Emissions

 Updated:
10/22/2010 4:00:00 PM

American Trucking Associations said Friday it has adopted a carbon-emissions control policy supporting a national fuel-economy standard for trucks, rather than government actions to increase fuel prices or alternative-fuel mandates.

“Carbon-emission reductions achieved through national truck fuel-economy standards are preferable to government actions that increase fuel prices in an effort to discourage petroleum-based diesel fuel consumption or mandate the use of alternative fuels,� ATA’s policy stated.

The policy was approved by ATA’s Board of Directors at its annual Management Conference Exhibition earlier this week in Phoenix.

ATA said that an energy policy for the trucking industry must:

• Produce cost-effective, verifiable carbon reductions;

• Ensure that revenue generated from motor carriers and other highway transportation consumers benefits highway users;

• Ensure that any increased costs are reasonable, predictable and do not increase the volatility of fuel prices;

• Avoid diesel fuel supply disruptions and ensure that only on-road diesel fuel that meets the ASTM standard for which trucks were designed to run on is sold in the marketplace;

• Maintain a level playing field among freight transportation modes; and

• Provide incentives for improved fuel efficiency and availability of alternative technologies.

“Diesel fuel remains the most viable option for powering the trucking industry,� said Rich Moskowitz, ATA vice president and regulatory affairs counsel.

“ATA’s carbon emission reduction policy acknowledges the need to look toward alternative technologies while ensuring that the industry can continue to efficiently move the consumer goods we rely on daily,� he said in a statement.

© 2010, Transport Topics Publishing Group. All rights reserved.

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