PTDI Board Ponders Future of Organization At a recent board of directors meeting, a discussion about who will lead the Professional Truck Driver Institute (PTDI) into the next millennium resulted in the appointment of a three-member management committee to oversee PTDI's day-to-day operating details temporarily, at least until the next board meeting in autumn. The management committee members are:
* Kerry Kearl, vice-president of company fleets, Crete Carrier Corp, Lincoln NE (carrier representative).
* Mark Johnson, president, Center for Employment Education and national training director, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Anchorage AK (school representative).
* Robert Rothstein, general counsel, Truckload Carriers Association, Alexandria VA (staff representative).
The PTDI board also appointed a 13-member Transition Committee that will develop a plan and timetable to work toward making PTDI a wholly independent organization.
NATSO Wants Sulfur Regulations Withdrawn A proposal by the Environmental Protection Agency to reduce sulfur in diesel fuel probably will strain diesel fuel supply, says the National Association of Truck Stop Operators (NATSO).
EPA's new proposal, which has not been released officially, reportedly would reduce diesel sulfur from 500 parts per million to 15 parts per million in 2006. Refineries currently do not have the technology necessary to reduce sulfur to that level. Assuming the technology is developed in the next few years, its high cost could force many refineries to shut down. These closures, in turn, would make it difficult for remaining refineries to keep up with fuel demand. Despite calling for such a cut, EPA has failed to provide any compelling data to support its proposal.
In a letter dated March 13, 2000, NATSO joined other fuel supply and delivery stakeholders in urging EPA to work with them "to construct a more reasonable blueprint for this regulation. We must continue our nation's environmental progress without compromising our ability to provide necessary supplies of energy at reasonable prices." Signing the letter besides NATSO were representatives from the American Petroleum Institute, Independent Fuel Terminal Operators of America, Petroleum Marketers Association of America, National Association of Convenience Stores, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, National Petrochemical & Refiners Association, Service Station Dealers of America, and Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers of America.
Congress Blocks OSHA Ergonomics Proposal Both houses of Congress voted in June to deny Occupational Safety and Health Administration funding for its proposed ergonomics regulations. The measures, which are attached to appropriations bills, still must go through a conference committee of the Senate and House of Representatives. A White House veto is virtually certain.
The new standard most likely would affect LTL drivers who load and unload freight, employees who sort and deliver packages, and long-haul company drivers who perform manual lifting. Musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) injuries caused by extensive road vibrations or prolonged sitting also would be covered by the regulations.
OSHA contends that ergonomics regulations will save billions of dollars a year due to reduced worker compensation claims, but many businesses argue that the regulations would cost them billions of dollars in additional costs annually.
The American Trucking Associations says the proposed regulations would cost the trucking industry $6.5 billion each year. According to ATA, the regulation would cause worker compensation costs to increase significantly, as employers would be required to provide 90% of after-tax earnings and 100% of benefits for up to six months to employees unable to work due to ergonomic-related injuries.
EPA Releases New Diesel Engine, Fuel Rules The Environmental Protection Agency has released stringent new engine and fuel rules aimed at curbing emissions from diesel-powered trucks and buses. The proposal calls for a 97% reduction in the allowable level of sulfur in diesel fuel beginning in 2006. Beginning in 2007, engines in highway vehicles rated over 8,500-lb GVW will have to produce 90% less soot and 70% to 80% less oxides of nitrogen.
A 45-day comment period with public hearings follows publication of the proposed rules. After that, EPA likely will publish final rules before the Clinton presidency ends.
Walter B McCormick, president of the American Trucking Associations, criticized the burden these rules place on trucking, saying they could raise the cost of a diesel engine by thousands of dollars and drive up the price of fuel by 20 cents a gallon. McCormick also contends that EPA is going after trucking, although other extreme sources of pollution are not addressed. Emissions from railroad, construction, and farm equipment are double that of heavy trucks, he says. To achieve the cleanest and most equitable air quality, EPA must require all diesel engines to use the same clean fuel.
CMV Number-Marking Requirements Revised The Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has revised requirements for marking commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) with FMCSA-issued DOT identification numbers. The revision will enhance highway and motor carrier safety by providing a more consistent vehicle identification method.
The new rule requires carriers operating in interstate commerce to display their name and DOT number on both sides of the power unit. Effective July 3, 2000, all new interstate motor carriers must submit a Form MCS-150 to the FMCSA before beginning operations. They also must mark the power units of their commercial motor vehicles before putting them into service. Earlier requirements called for submission of the form within 90 days after starting operations.
Use of DOT numbers has been required since 1988, and before that, ICC (Interstate Commerce Commission) numbers were required on vehicles operated by for-hire carriers. Previously, motor carriers authorized by the former ICC were allowed to continue to mark their trucks and buses with the ICC number. If a carrier displayed the ICC number as of July 3, 2000, the motor carrier will have until July 3, 2002, to display its DOT number. All commercial motor vehicles added to a motor carrier's fleet on or after July 3, 2000, must meet the new marking requirements before being placed in service.
The rule requires commercial motor vehicles to be marked with the legal name or a single trade name of the business that owns or controls the motor carrier operation, and the name must appear as indicated on the carrier's Motor Carrier Identification Report (Form MCS-150). Carriers have until July 5, 2005, to display that name on trucks and buses in their fleets. Carriers may verify information on file with the FMCSA by going to www.safersys.org on the Internet and accessing the information via their DOT number, MC number, or name.
Provisions concerning use of removable marking devices, such as magnetic name tags, are retained in the new regulation.
To apply for DOT numbers or obtain information, phone 800-832-5660. The MCS-150 form also can be downloaded at www.fmcsa.dot. gov/factsfigs/formspubs.htm.