Trucking Industry Asks Congress For 65 MPH Speed Limit

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truck.jpgThe American Trucking Associations (ATA) is seeking support for the industry's environmental initiatives from Congress. The initiatives are expected to cut fuel consumption by 86 billion gallons and reduce all vehicles' carbon footprint by almost a billion tons over the next 10 years.

The association is asking Congress to enact a national 65 mph speed limit and increase funding for the EPA's SmartWay program. ATA also wants Congress to support national fuel economy standards for medium and heavy-duty trucks and to implement financial incentives to expedite the introduction of idling reduction equipment.

Investment in infrastructure improvements could ease congestion, save 32 billion gallons of fuel, and cut carbon emissions by 314 million tons over 10 years - according to the ATA.

The association is also urging Congress to promote the use of more productive truck combinations, which could save more than 20.5 billion gallons of diesel fuel and cut emissions by 227 million tons over 10 years.

Last summer, ATA filed a lawsuit challenging plans by L.A. port officials to ban pre-1989 trucks from its port. The request was later denied.

Environment + Energy Leader