A new report from a Washington, D.C., energy policy group urges the federal government to begin allocating its $150 billion budget for transport services to carriers that fuel their fleets on domestically produced natural gas, electricity, biofuels and other alternatives to diesel and gasoline.
The report, by the non-profit American Clean Skies Foundation, says a switch of just 20% of the U.S. government’s business to freight and package carriers using alternative fuels would lead to taxpayer savings of up to $7 billion annually and approximately $25 billion by 2025 (assuming a gradual fuel shift, beginning in 2015). Much of the savings is attributable to reduced fuel costs because major alternatives, such as compressed natural gas, cost less per gallon than petroleum-based fuels.
The 55-page ACSF report — Oil Shift: The Case for Switching Federal Transportation Spending to Alternative Fuel Vehicles — finds that shifting federal transportation contracts to vans and trucks running on alternative fuels could reduce oil imports by billions of gallons annually; cut greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution by over 20 million metric tons a year; and stimulate the nationwide introduction of tens of thousands of new alternative fuel vehicles.
To get shippers that handle government business on the right course, the report recommends that Washington simply apply the same measurement and reporting tools developed by federal agencies over the last two decades to ratchet down petroleum use and harmful emissions associated with the government’s own transportation fleet.
“Most people are probably unaware that the freight services which are used by the government and major product suppliers provide a 30 times larger opportunity for oil savings and emissions reductions than the cars and trucks that the government owns itself,” said Warren Lavey, co-author of the report and ACSF’s senior regulatory counsel.
“Moreover,” added Lavey, “our proposal does not require any new legislation or spending — federal agencies already have the legal authority required to track the oil used and pollution associated with third-party shipping services. And agencies also have the authority to begin buying those services from freight carriers that increasingly rely on cleaner, domestically sourced alternative fuels.”
The ACSF report makes three main recommendations:
1) Starting in 2014, federal agencies should publish annual targets and initiatives for buying more alternative fuels, reducing petroleum and lowering emissions associated with major transport services.
2) Starting in 2015, agencies should require major carriers to use alternative fuels for at least 5 percent of contracted shipments (measured in ton-miles). This requirement should increase by at least 2 percent each year from 2015 to 2025.
3) Starting in 2016, federal agencies should publish annual targets, and initiatives for using more alternative fuels, reducing petroleum and lowering emissions associated with the transport services used by major vendors to deliver products to the government (i.e., for vendor contracted shipping services not covered by the prior recommendations).
In addition, ACSF says Congress should encourage a transportation spending shift by directing the GAO to report annually, beginning in 2013, on the effectiveness of federal programs to increase the use of alternative fuels and to reduce costs related to transport services directly or indirectly purchased by federal agencies. Congressional oversight hearings may also be appropriate.
The federal government owns or leases about 660,000 cars and trucks and, in 2011, U.S. taxpayers spent $1.4 billion to purchase about 400 million gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel for use by these federal vehicles. Non-petroleum fuels currently account for only 4% of the fuel used by these fleets.
By comparison, federal agencies spend about $50 billion directly to procure transportation services each year from private-sector trucking companies and other carriers. In FY2010, the U.S. Postal Service alone spent roughly the same amount on fuel reimbursements for third-party suppliers ($1.3 billion) as all federal agencies spent on fueling their own fleets.
Several existing laws and executive orders, such as Executive Order 13514, require federal departments and agencies to “lead by example” in reducing petroleum use, raising energy efficiency, and mitigating adverse environmental impacts associated with federally owned vehicles and contracted transportation services.
As a result of these standards and reporting requirements, most federal agencies have implemented vehicle purchasing, fueling and optimization initiatives for their fleets. Yet much more could be achieved by extending this framework of standards, performance tracking and purchasing targets from federally owned fleets to third-party transportation service providers, says this report.
Established in 2007, ACSF seeks to advance America’s energy independence and a cleaner, low-carbon environment through expanded use of natural gas, renewables and efficiency.
Printer Friendly Version
Email This Story
RSS
Fuel and Oil: Related News
8/8/2012 – Policy Group Urges Government Fleets to Use Alternative Fuels
A new report from a Washington, D.C., energy policy group urges the federal government to begin allocating its $150 billion budget for transport services to carriers that fuel their fleets on domestically produced natural gas, electricity, biofuels and other alternatives to diesel and gasoline….
More
8/8/2012 – DOE Price Predictions Rise
The Department of Energy’s projections for oil and fuel prices for the rest of the year are higher than they were last month, according to the monthly Short Term Energy Outlook from the DOE’s Energy Information Administration….
More
8/7/2012 – Diesel, Gasoline Prices Rise Again
Diesel prices rose again last week, with the U.S. Department of Energy reporting a national average of $3.85, up 5.4 cents from last week, while gasoline price surged by 13.7 cents per gallon….
More
8/7/2012 – Waste Management Opens CNG Fueling Station in Louisville, Ky.
Waste Management has launched a new local fleet of 25 clean-burning compressed-natural-gas trucks and unveiled Louisville, Ky.’s first public-access, 24-hour CNG fueling station….
More
8/6/2012 – Six Things You Need to Know about Natural Gas
Interest is high in natural gas as a heavy-duty truck fuel. With a dollar per diesel-equivalent gallon differential, why wouldn’t it be? Natural gas is likely to remain less expensive than diesel for the foreseeable future, and domestic supplies of the stuff are plentiful. Is natural gas a savior-in-waiting for beleaguered diesel buyers? Maybe, but here are six questions you need to ask before taking the plunge….
More
8/1/2012 – Love’s Goes Cardless
Love’s Travel Stops has completed its first live RFID customer fuel transaction….
More
7/30/2012 – DOE Says Potential Diesel Shortage Averted in Northeast
The U.S. Department of Energy now says an expected shortage of ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel and gasoline in the Northeast will not be as bad as initially feared….
More
7/27/2012 – Industry Sets New Biodiesel Standards
Standards-testing authority ASTM has a new voluntary standard for biodiesel, designed to meet the needs of customers using ultra-low-sulfur diesel and new diesel engine and after-treatment technology….
More
7/27/2012 – Million-Mile Engine Teardown Tests EcoPower Re-Refined Oil
Safety-Kleen Systems this week showcased a million-mile teardown of two Cummins ISX engines that have been running its Eco-Power re-refined engine oil since 2008.
You’re probably familiar with the name Safety-Kleen as a longtime maker of parts washers. You may even know that they provide used oil disposal. You may not know that it turns some of that used oil into re-refined engine oils….
More
7/26/2012 – Michigan Governor Declares Energy Emergency
Gov. Rick Snyder Tuesday declared a state of energy emergency in Michigan due to the limited availability and temporary shortages of gasoline and diesel fuel in areas of the Upper Peninsula caused by a shutdown of the West Shore Pipeline in Wisconsin. …
More
7/26/2012 – TravelCenters of America Opens 100th DEF Pump Location
TravelCenters of America LLC has completed the installation of bulk Diesel Exhaust Fluid dispensers at 100 of its TA and Petro Stopping Center branded locations. These 100 locations offer DEF fueling at more than 400 fuel island lanes….
More
7/25/2012 – Trillium CNG, AMP Americas Partner to Build CNG Stations
Trillium CNG, a business unit of Integrys Energy Group, and AMP Americas announced a joint venture focused on building a network of CNG stations across the U.S….
More
7/25/2012 – Yara Expands DEF Capacity with Rentech Nitrogen Purchase Agreement
Rentech Nitrogen, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rentech Nitrogen Partners, L.P., and Yara North America Inc., diesel exhaust fluid producer, have entered into a long-term agreement for the exclusive rights to purchase and distribute the DEF produced…
More
7/24/2012 – Diesel Prices Rise 9 Cents, Price of Oil Falls 4.2%
Diesel and gasoline prices rose again this week, by 8.8 cents and 1.6 cents, respectively, reports the Energy Information Administration. Oil prices tumbled 4.2% Monday due to returning worries about Europe’s debt crisis. …
More
7/23/2012 – Clean Emission, Oasis Offer Biodiesel, Renewable Diesel in Detroit
Detroit-based biodiesel company Clean Emission Fluids Inc. will open fueling stations at the Oasis Trucking Centers in southwest Detroit in the next two weeks, reports Crain’s Detroit Business….
More
7/19/2012 – Report: Hybrid Truck Viability Hurt by Low Fuel Prices
A report from Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs finds challenges to the economic viability of medium-sized diesel-electric hybrid trucks.
These hybrids have a significantly higher sticker price than conventional diesel-powered trucks. With volatile fuel prices and uncertain technology and environmental trends, the fuel savings and environmental benefits from driving these hybrids may not be enough to recover their higher investment costs, say John D. Graham and Kerry Krutilla, the authors of the study….
More
7/17/2012 – Real Estate Development and Consultancy Companies Partner for 1,000 CNG Stations
Real estate development company DeBartolo Development and real estate consultancy Keystone Consulting Group announced the creation of the CNG Infrastructure Expansion Project, with the goal of significantly increasing the number of compressed natural gas fueling stations in the U.S….
More
7/17/2012 – Diesel, Gasoline, Oil Prices Spike This Week
The average U.S. price of both diesel and gasoline rose this week, according to data from the Energy Information Administration. Also, oil prices climbed for a fourth day this week. …
More
7/11/2012 – NACFE to Study 6x2s, Tire Pressure, Idle Reduction
The North American Council for Freight Efficiency is following up on its Fleet Fuel Benchmarking Study with three new research projects, on 6×2 tractor configurations, alternatives for maintaining correct tire pressure, and anti-idling products and strategies for sleeper tractors….
More
7/11/2012 – EIA Lowers Price Forecasts for Diesel, Gasoline, Crude Oil
In its latest Short Term Energy Outlook, the U.S. Energy Information Administration lowered its forecasted prices for gasoline and diesel fuel as well as West Texas Intermediate crude oil.
With crude oil prices falling over the last month, EIA expects that on-highway diesel fuel retail prices, which averaged $3.84 per gallon in 2011, will average $3.79 per gallon in 2012….
More
7/10/2012 – Diesel Prices Spike After Three Months of Decreases
Diesel prices are up this week after a three-month-long downward trend, but gasoline prices continue to decline. Oil prices rose on Monday due to concerns that a labor dispute in Norway could lead to a complete shutdown of the country’s oil production….
More
7/5/2012 – Kinetic Energy Technology Could Save Fleets Fuel
Volvo Trucks says it’s developed technology that uses kinetic energy to help propel a truck. Volvo’s I-See technology operates like an autopilot, taking over gearchanging and using gradients to save fuel. The technology will first be released in the European market in 2013, but could eventually be seen in North America….
More
7/3/2012 – Natural-Gas Testing on Agenda for Major National Laboratory
The Energy Department national laboratory that developed the battery technology for the Chevrolet Volt and other hybrid-electric vehicles has set its sights on another potential player in the alternative-fuel market: natural gas. …
More
7/3/2012 – Diesel, Gasoline Prices Continue Three-Month Downward Trend
Diesel and gasoline prices fell this week after three straight months of decreases, according to data from the Energy Information Administration. Oil prices fell back down Monday after a surprising spike on Friday….
More
7/3/2012 – Saddle Creek Corp. Adds Freightliner CNG Tractors to its For-Hire Fleet
Saddle Creek Corp. has added 40 Freightliner Business Class M2 112 compressed natural gas tractors, doubling its fleet of Freightliner CNG tractors….
More
7/2/2012 – DEF Pump Price Up 15 Cents Since February
The average U.S. DEF pump price increased by 7 cents, to $2.88 per gallon, in June. The price has risen by 15 cents to $2.88 per gallon between February and June, 2012, in response to raw material costs. …
More
6/29/2012 – Texas Offers $5.7 million in Grants for Alt-Fuel, Hybrid Vehicles
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is offering $5.7 million in grants to eligible individuals, businesses, governmental entities and school districts to replace older diesel vehicles with new alternative fuel and hybrid vehicles. …
More
6/29/2012 – DOE Evaluates Future Energy Scenarios
Looking at the period of 2010 through 2035, the U.S. Department of Energy believes the rate of growth in U.S. energy use will slow, domestic crude oil production will increase, reliance on imported energy will drop, the country will become a net exporter or natural gas rather than a net importer, and carbon dioxide emissions will remain below their 2005 level….
More
6/28/2012 – Yara Opens DEF Storage Terminal in Bayonne, N.J.
Diesel exhaust fluid provider Yara North America will open a new storage terminal in Bayonne, N.J., to give fleets and retail outlets throughout the East Coast with increased access to Air1 DEF…
More
6/26/2012 – Diesel Falls for 11th Week in a Row
U.S. diesel and gasoline prices fell for the 11th straight week, falling to 21 cents and 13.7 cents, respectively, below fuel prices from one year ago, according to the Energy Information Administration’s weekly fuel update….
More
6/26/2012 – Oregon Launches $4 Million Electric Truck Incentive Program
The Oregon Department of Transportation is launching a $4 million new electric truck buyer incentive program. …
More
6/25/2012 – West Virginia Establishes Natural Gas Task Force
West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin signed an executive order establishing a Natural Gas Vehicle Task Force to investigate transitioning the state’s vehicle fleet to natural gas fuel and developing an infrastructure to support compressed-natural-gas vehicles….
More
6/19/2012 – Sapp Bros. Travel Plaza Offers Plug-In Power
Sapp Bros. Travel Plaza’s Omaha, Neb., location now offers plug-in power to help save fuel, reduce idling and lower emissions. Sapp Bros. is now one of two truckstops in Nebraska to offer plug-in power to customers….
More
6/19/2012 – Diesel Falls Five More Cents, Oil Prices Fall to Nearly $83
Diesel and gasoline prices continued to drop for the 10th straight week, and European economy concerns are still affecting oil prices….
More
6/13/2012 – EIA Lowers Forecasts for 2012 Diesel, Gasoline Prices
For 2012, the Energy Information Administration has lowered its forecasted price for diesel and gasoline, and it expects West Texas Intermediate crude oil to average about $95 per barrel over the second half of 2012….
More
6/13/2012 – World Health Organization Says Diesel Exhaust Causes Cancer
The International Agency for Research on Cancer, part of the World Health Organization, has classified diesel engine exhaust as carcinogenic to humans based on evidence that exposure is associated with an increased risk for lung cancer. But a diesel industry group says it’s a different story for modern engines in the U.S….
More
6/12/2012 – Diesel Drops to Lowest Price of 2012
Diesel and gasoline prices fell for the ninth straight week, bringing diesel prices to their lowest so far for 2012 and gasoline prices to their lowest since February. Oil prices fell again this week due to skepticism about Europe’s debt crisis….
More
6/11/2012 – May Sees Big Uptick in DEF Pump Prices
The average U.S. DEF pump price rose 7 cents to $2.81 per gallon between April and May, according to DEF Tracker. This is the biggest price movement since October 2011….
More
6/8/2012 – Louisiana Bill Would Require Natural-Gas Vehicles for State Agencies
In an effort to promote Louisiana’s natural gas resources, state lawmakers have proposed a bill would require state agencies to purchase natural gas and/or bi-fuel vehicles….
More
6/8/2012 – Shell, TA Team up to Offer LNG
Shell and TravelCenters of America announced that starting in 2013, they plan to sell liquefied natural gas to on-highway customers through the existing network of full-service TA and Petro fueling centers. (LNG is viewed as a more suitable alternative fuel for long-haul operations because it has more range than compressed natural gas, or CNG.)…
More
6/7/2012 – Diesel Retrofit Sales Down in 2011
Diesel retrofit sales were down in 2011 from the previous year, except in California, and even there sales were not as high as many expected. …
More
6/7/2012 – Biodiesel Curriculum Earns Certification
The National Automotive Technician Education Foundation officially awarded the Automotive Service Excellence accreditation to the National Biodiesel Board’s Biodiesel for Diesel Technicians curriculum….
More
6/5/2012 – Diesel, Gasoline Prices Continue Downward Trend; Oil Ends Higher
Diesel and gasoline prices continued to fall this week, with both fuels dropping about 30 cents since April, according to the Energy Information Administration’s weekly fuel update. Oil prices, which have fallen sharply in the past few months, ended higher on Monday after the euro rose against the dollar….
More
6/5/2012 – Power Plants Switching Fast to Gas, Reports Say
Generation of electricity by natural gas grew dramatically last year, according to a report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. …
More
6/5/2012 – Milwaukee Adds CNG Refuse Trucks, Public CNG Stations
The City of Milwaukee passed a resolution approving the conversion of 20 refuse trucks to CNG, as well as a resolution that would allow the city to sell CNG fuel to the public, reports the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. …
More
6/5/2012 – Love’s Opens Location in Anthony, Texas
Love’s Travel Stops opened a new travel stop in Anthony, Texas, at Interstate 10, Exit 0….
More
6/4/2012 – Clean Diesel Technologies Receives Expanded EPA Verification for Emission Control System
Clean Diesel Technologies Inc., a cleantech emissions control company, has received an expanded verification from the Environmental Protection Agency for its ECS-branded Purifilter Plus diesel particulate filter emission reduction system. …
More
5/31/2012 – Ranking Shows Continued Global Reductions in Diesel Sulfur Limits
The International Fuel Quality Center has ranked the top 100 countries based on sulfur limits in on-road diesel and found that 44 countries can now boast that their on-road diesel fuel is the cleanest in the world….
More
5/30/2012 – Taxing Natural Gas Trucks Will Pose a Challenge
As interstate trucking operations have been expressing increasing interest in using liquefied natural gas in their trucks, the American Trucking Associations’ state law experts say widespread adoption of LNG will pose a large challenge to fuel tax administrators….
More
5/30/2012 – Prices at the Pump Keep Dropping; Oil Falls Due to Weakening Spanish Economy
Diesel and gasoline prices have declined for the sixth straight week, according the Energy Information Administration’s weekly fuel update. Oil prices fell due to concerns over Spain’s weakening economy and large debt….
More
5/25/2012 – Natural Gas Future Has Potential, Report Says
A recently released natural gas analysis from TIAX LLC predicts the opportunity for the compressed-natural-gas fueling market will grow steadily over the next few years….
More
5/24/2012 – NAFA to Offer Webinar on Fuel Costs
NAFA Fleet Management Association will offer a webinar, Getting Control of Fuel Costs, Wednesday, May 30, from 1-2 p.m. Eastern….
More
5/23/2012 – City of Thomasville, Ga., to Build CNG Fueling Station
The city of Thomasville, Ga., recently approved construction of a compressed natural gas time-fill fueling station. The City said this new station is part of its plan to convert its fleet vehicles to run on CNG where appropriate….
More
5/22/2012 – Diesel and Gasoline Prices Drop Again; Oil Prices Rise
Diesel and gasoline prices continue their decline for the sixth straight week. After weeks of decline, however, oil prices rose due to encouraging signs regarding the U.S. and Chinese economies….
More
5/21/2012 – Volvo Readying 13-liter Natural-Gas/Diesel Engine, Exploring DME as Alternative Fuel
Volvo Trucks will have a 13-liter natural gas-fueled engine ready for market by sometime in 2014 as part of its newly named “Blue Power” strategy, which also includes Cummins NG products in current and future trucks, company executives announced Friday….
More
5/18/2012 – Freightliner, Westport Schedule Cross-Country Trips to Prove Viability of CNG
Freightliner Trucks and Westport Innovations have scheduled cross-country trips in compressed natural gas-powered trucks to prove the availability of the fuel out on the road. …
More
5/18/2012 – Shell CEO Expects Natural Gas Prices to Rise
Shell’s chief executive told The Financial Times the company expects natural gas prices in the U.S., which are currently at 10-year lows, to double by 2015.
In an interview, chief executive Peter Voser said Shell is using a price of $4 to $6 per million Btu for 2014-2015, up from the current $2.55….
More
5/16/2012 – Alternative Fuels Mean Energy Independence, Say ACT Expo Speakers
Suppliers of alternative fuels and the equipment that burns them must cooperate to move America toward energy self-sufficiency and economic growth, says retired U.S. Army Gen. Wesley Clark,…
More
5/15/2012 – Fuel Prices Keep Falling, Greek Economy Affects Oil Prices
Diesel and gasoline prices dropped for the fifth straight week, but oil prices continue to fall due to concerns over Europe, particularly Greece’s economy.
Diesel fuel prices dropped by by an average of 5.3 cents to $4.004 a gallon, according the the Energy Information Administration’s weekly fuel upsate. This is the lowest the average price of diesel has been since late February. …
More
5/10/2012 – Honeywell Green Diesel to be Produced From Bio Feedstocks in U.S. Facility
UOP LLC, a Honeywell company, is licensing technology to Emerald Biofuels to produce Honeywell Green Diesel at a facility in Louisiana….
More
5/9/2012 – Government Lowers Diesel Price Estimates for 2012
The Department of Energy expects that on-highway diesel fuel retail prices, which averaged $3.84 per gallon in 2011, will average $4.06 per gallon in 2012, which is 9 cents per gallon lower than in last month’s outlook….
More
5/8/2012 – Diesel and Gas Prices Down, Oil Hits 2012 Low
Gasoline and diesel fuel prices dropped for the fourth straight week, and the price of oil hit its lowest point this year due to more concerns over the state of Europe’s economy….
More
5/8/2012 – Oregon Adds Two New Electric Charging Stations
Two additional electric vehicle charging stations are now open in Oregon’s Willamette Valley along Interstate 5, extending the West Coast Electric Highway for EV owners. The new stations are located at the Pioneer Villa Truck Plaza in Halsey and at the Gateway Marketplace in Springfield….
More
5/7/2012 – Natural Gas Support a Mixed Bag, Study Says
Natural gas in the trucking industry has a high level of awareness, but carriers still recognize obstacles, says a new study from PLS Logistics Services….
More
5/4/2012 – DEF Prices Steady in March/April, Will Increase In May
The average U.S. diesel exhaust fluid pump price remained at $2.74 per gallon between March and April 2012, after declining by 1 cent between February and March, according to discoverDEF.com….
More
5/1/2012 – Diesel Drops for Third Straight Week, Oil Falls Due to Europe Concerns
Gasoline and diesel fuel prices dropped again this week, according to the Energy Information Administration’s weekly fuel update. Oil prices fell because of continuing concerns over Europe’s economy.
The average U.S. diesel price fallen for the third straight week. This week, prices dropped by an average of 1.2 cents to $4.073 a gallon. In the past three weeks, the per-gallon price of diesel fuel has dropped a total of 6.3 cents. All regions experienced decreases this week except California, for which prices increased by an average of 1.2 cents….
More
4/27/2012 – Costco “Hot Fuel” Settlement Approved
In an approved settlement for a lawsuit over hot fuel, Costco Wholesale Corp. has agreed to convert gasoline pumps in some states during the next five years to automatically compensate for expansion in fuel due to changing temperatures, reports the Kansas City Business Journal….
More
4/26/2012 – “California-Only” Diesel Will Come at High Cost for State, Study Says
Significant job losses will be directly attributable to California Air Resources Board’s fuel policies, says a new study by the California Trucking Association. Goods movement and agriculture sectors will be especially hard hit if the policies are allowed to go into effect as currently designed….
More
4/25/2012 – Canadian Agency Says Fleets Could Save With Natural Gas
Despite the higher upfront costs for engines that run natural gas, The Conference Board of Canada says that converting fleets to natural gas could produce savings of approximately $150,000 per truck over a 10-year period….
More
4/25/2012 – $20 Million Available for Clean Diesel Projects
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the availability of up to $20 million in FY 2012 grant funding to establish clean diesel projects aimed at improving air quality and Americans’ health….
More
4/24/2012 – Waste Management Dedicates Illinois’ Largest CNG Fueling Facility
Waste Management of Illinois has dedicated the state’s largest commercial compressed natural gas fueling facility in Stickney, Ill….
More
4/24/2012 – Three Midwest Truckstops Join Idle-Reduction Plug-In Power Network
Truckers traveling through Nebraska and Iowa now have three more locations at which they can plug in to grid power instead of idling their engines to run in-cab comfort and convenience appliances….
More
4/24/2012 – Diesel, Gas Prices Drop; Concerns About Europe Drive Oil Prices Lower
Gasoline and diesel fuel prices fell again this week after modest decreases last week, according to the Energy Information Administration’s weekly fuel update. Concerns over Europe’s economy drove oil prices down this week after reports that government debts keep rising….
More
4/20/2012 – Three More Companies Settle in ‘Hot Fuel’ Suits
Three companies, Walmart (and its Sam’s Club subsidiary), Valero Energy Corp. and Casey’s General Stores have joined the ranks of businesses settling “hot fuel” lawsuits, reports the Kansas City Star….
More
4/19/2012 – Clean Energy Partners with Waste Pro USA for New CNG Station
Clean Energy Fuels Corp. has contracted with major Southeast U.S. solid waste collection, recycling and disposal company Waste Pro USA to build, operate and maintain a new compressed natural gas fueling station on Waste Pro property in Fort Pierce, Fla….
More
4/18/2012 – President Calls for Measures to Address Oil Speculation
President Barack Obama proposed new measures Tuesday to address oil market manipulation, calling on lawmakers to increase penalties on those involved in manipulative practices and for increased funding for the agency that’s supposed to police the markets….
More
4/17/2012 – Diesel Drops the Most Since 2011, Oil Prices Fall After Iran Meeting
This week, fleet operators will get some relief as diesel and gas prices drop. Oil prices also fell this week due to easing tensions over Iran….
More
4/16/2012 – Industry Stays Focused on Efficiency as Fuel Costs Rise
With fuel costs rising and a driver shortage creeping up, fleets are still doing all they can to get the most miles out of their trucks, say truckstop executives….
More
4/11/2012 – Diesel to Average $4.21 This Summer; Crude to Average $112
Diesel fuel prices, which averaged $3.94 per gallon last summer, are projected to average $4.21 per gallon this summer, according to the Energy Information Administration’s Short-Term Outlook….
More
4/10/2012 – Diesel Back on the Rise, Oil at Seven-week Low
Last week’s diesel price decrease was short-lived as the average price rose by 0.6 cents per gallon this week to $4.148 per gallon, while the price of gasoline stayed nearly the same. However, crude-oil futures ended at a seven-week low Monday….
More
4/10/2012 – Love’s Says Bulk DEF Rollout Hits Halfway Point
Love’s Travel Stops is now offering bulk DEF at more than half of its travel stop locations across the country and says it’s on track to have bulk DEF available at all travel stops by the end of the year….
More
4/9/2012 – Three Major Oil Companies Settle in “Hot Fuel” Lawsuit
BP Products North America Inc., ConocoPhillips Co. and Shell Oil Products US have agreed to settle lawsuits accusing the oil companies of profiting from “hot fuel,” gasoline or diesel fuel for which price has not been adjusted for temperature….
More
4/4/2012 – DEF Pump Price Continues Downward Trend
The average U.S. diesel exhaust fluid pump price fell by 1 cent to $2.74 per gallon between February and March 2012. This continued a marginal downward trend, which has seen the price drop 2 cents since December 2011….
More
4/3/2012 – Diesel Prices Fall, Rising Oil Prices Spark Talk of Opening SPR
The average price of diesel dropped by half a cent this week to $4.142 per gallon, ending a nine-week trend of price increases. Despite the decline, the price of diesel is still an average of 16.6 cents higher than this time last year, according to the Energy Information Administration’s weekly fuel update….
More
4/3/2012 – EPA to Allow 15% Ethanol Fuel in Gasoline
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved the first applications for registration of ethanol for use in making gasoline that contains up to 15% ethanol – known as E15….
More
4/3/2012 – Illinois Plans Nation’s Largest Electric Vehicle Fast-Charging Network
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and representatives from the Illinois Tollway, 350Green LLC and 7-Eleven Inc. announced plans to create the nation’s largest network of fast-charging electric vehicle stations….
More
4/2/2012 – Alaska, Producers Reach Agreement on Point Thomson Natural Gas
Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell and a group of gas producers have reached an agreement to begin commercializing North Slope natural gas resources within the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act. …
More
3/29/2012 – Irving Oil Offers First DEF Pump in Northern New England
Irving Oil‘s travel plaza in Kittery, Maine is now equipped with a diesel exhaust fluid pump, making it the most northern DEF pump dispenser in New England….
More
3/28/2012 – Diesel Sees Slight Increase, Oil Ends Modestly Higher
Average diesel prices went up just a hair this week, according to the Energy Information Administration’s weekly fuel update. The half-cent increase took the average price to $4.147 per gallon….
More
3/22/2012 – January-February Biodiesel Volume Slips from Late 2011 Growth
The U.S. biodiesel industry produced 135 million gallons of fuel in the first two months of 2012, according to new numbers released by the EPA Wednesday….
More
3/20/2012 – Diesel Reaches Highest Price Since Summer 2008
The average diesel price spiked 1.9 cents this week to $4.142 a gallon, its highest price since the summer of 2008, according to the Energy Information Administration’s weekly fuel update….
More
3/16/2012 – U.S. Fuel Exports to Double by 2015
U.S. exports of gasoline, diesel and other fuels will more than double in the next three years as refiners take advantage of a growing supply of domestic crudes and ship more fuel to emerging markets, according to UK research firm Wood Mackenzie….
More
3/14/2012 – Louisiana Plant Turns Animal Fat Into Fuel
A high-fat diet might not be good for humans, but it could be great for trucks, trains, planes and cars. …
More
3/13/2012 – White House Report Shows Drop in Oil Imports
The White House released a one-year American energy progress report showing that the U.S. has reduced dependence on foreign oil by more than 2 million barrels per day. …
More
3/13/2012 – Dart Launches CNG Dedicated Service
Dart Transit launched a small fleet of CNG-powered tractors dedicated to Andersen Window Corp.…
More
3/13/2012 – Fuel Prices Rise Yet Again, Oil Prices Fall
The national average price for diesel is up yet again this week by almost 3 cents, from $4.094 to $4.123 per gallon, according to the Energy Information Administration’s weekly fuel update. This is the seventh week in a row that prices have risen. …
More
3/12/2012 – Diesel Exhaust Found to be ‘Negligible’ Contributor to One Type of Pollution
Contrary to what the scientific community expected, the exhaust fumes from gasoline vehicles are a bigger polluter than diesel exhaust when it comes to a specific type of pollution, according to a new study….
More
3/8/2012 – PeopleNet, Vusion Offer Fuel Theft Detection
PeopleNet is getting ready to offer a fuel-theft detection solution with the help of sister company, data analytics provider Vusion….
More
3/8/2012 – GE, Chesapeake to Collaborate to Speed Adoption of Natural Gas
GE and Chesapeake Energy Corp. announced they will collaborate to accelerate the adoption of natural gas as a transportation fuel….
More
3/7/2012 – EIA: Crude Price to Average $11 Higher Than Last Year
In its Short-Term Energy Outlook, the U.S. Energy Information Administration says it expects the price of West Texas Intermediate crude oil to average about $106 per barrel in 2012, $5 per barrel higher than in its previous outlook and $11 per barrel higher than the average price last year….
More
3/7/2012 – DEF Prices Increase for Bulk Deliveries
Diesel exhaust fluid prices for tote refills and other bulk deliveries increased between January and February 2011, as suppliers reacted to increasing raw material costs, reports DEF Tracker….
More
3/6/2012 – U.S. Diesel at Highest Price in More Than a Year
Diesel is up again this week with a 4-cent increase to $4.094 per gallon from $4.051 per gallon, according to the Energy Information Administration’s gas and diesel fuel update….
More
3/1/2012 – CARB Highlights Innovations in Clean Diesel Technology
Diesel industry and California Air Resources Board officials held a press conference to highlight the key policies and events that led to the transformation of clean diesel technology over the past two-plus decades….
More
3/1/2012 – Refinery Closures Could Affect Northeast Diesel Supplies, Prices
Supplies of ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel in the Northeast could be greatly impacted if Sunoco Inc. follows through with plans to shut down its Philidelphia refinery in July if no buyer is found….
More
2/28/2012 – Diesel Spikes to More Than $4, Crude Prices Moderate
The average U.S. diesel price is up to $4.051 after a spike of 9 cents, and gas prices increased an average of 13 cents, reports the Energy Information Administration in its weekly Gas and Fuel Update….
More
2/24/2012 – EPA Certifies Daimler’s Vehicle Lineup as GHG14 Compliant
The Environmental Protection Agency has certified Daimler Trucks North America‘s complete portfolio of model year 2013 on-highway, vocational and medium-duty vehicles as fully compliant with the new greenhouse gas 2014 regulations. …
More
2/23/2012 – Pilot Flying J To Acquire Western Petroleum
Pilot Flying J will acquire Western Petroleum, which has operations largely targeted toward the Rocky Mountain states, the southern states and the northern plains….
More
2/22/2012 – 3M, Chesapeake Energy Partner to Create CNG Tank Technology
3M and Chesapeake Energy Corp. will collaborate in designing, manufacturing and marketing a broad portfolio of compressed natural gas tanks for use in all sectors of the U.S. transportation market, starting with commercial vehicles….
More
2/22/2012 – Diesel and Gas Prices Rise, Worries About Greece and Iran Drive up Oil Prices
The average U.S. diesel price is up by 1.7 cents this week to an 11-week high of $3.96 per gallon from $3.943 last week, reports the U.S. Energy Information Administration in its weekly fuel update, and crude oil prices are the highest in in nine months….
More
2/17/2012 – Love’s Travel Stop Opens in Seguin, Texas
Love’s Travel Stops opened its first new travel stop of 2012 in Seguin, Texas, at Interstate 10, Exit 604….
More
2/17/2012 – Central Freight Lines To Test Peterbilt CNG Tractors
Central Freight Lines, a less-than-truckload for-hire common carrier, will test 15 new compressed natural gas tractors under a grant from the Houston-Galveston Area Council….
More
2/15/2012 – Comdata Installs 500th Point-Of-Sale System
Comdata Corp. installed its 500th Smart Solutions point-of-sale system at a QuikTrip location in Adairsville, Ga….
More
2/14/2012 – Diesel Prices Spike 9 Cents, Oil Prices Highest in 5 Weeks
U.S. diesel prices are up by almost 9 cents per gallon this week, to $3.943 from $3.856. This is the biggest weekly increase since mid-November, according to numbers from the Energy Information Administration’s gas and diesel fuel update….
More
2/13/2012 – Clean Energy Opens LNG Fueling Station in Seville, Ohio
A new liquefied natural gas fueling station built, owned and operated by Clean Energy Fuels Corp., has opened in Seville, Ohio. The station will support the expanding fleet of LNG trucks deployed by Dillon Transport serving Owens Corning and is also available for public access….
More
2/10/2012 – MIT Study Finds Electric Trucks Can Save Businesses Money
Using electric trucks can considerably reduce costs for fleets, say researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
MIT News reported that the study, conducted at MIT’s Center for Transportation and Logistics, found that electric vehicles can cost 9% to 12% less to operate than diesel-powered trucks when used to make deliveries on a daily basis in large cities….
More