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Truckinginfo …

05/21/2010 Nativegrl77

5/21/2010 White House Will Announce Plans for Truck Fuel Economy Standards Today

By Oliver B. Patton, Washington Editor

The Obama Administration this morning will announce a plan to set national standards for fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions for heavy- and medium-duty trucks, according to sources familiar with the plan.

Details will come after the 10:30 a.m. White House announcement, but the Environmental Protection Agency is planning a proposal to set specific improvements in fuel efficiency and specific emissions reductions for 2014 through 2018, said Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum.

Included in today’s announcement will be a letter from truck engine manufacturers to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson in support of the EPA’s proposal, objectives and schedule, Schaeffer said.

Another source, who asked not to be identified because he has been involved in the negotiations, said that engine manufacturers have been working with EPA for a year and a half to craft a workable plan.

They have been guided by the expectation the standards are coming in any event, and that it makes sense to participate, the source said. The outcome, he said, is that engine manufacturers will be able to live with the proposed rule.

Crafting the Proposal

Schaeffer said that the EPA proposal will recognize the diversity of the trucking industry – a significant complicating factor in setting national fuel efficiency and emission standards. He also said that many of the techniques EPA will rely on will be familiar to participants in the EPA SmartWay program, which promotes technologies such as aerodynamics, low rolling resistance tires and reduction of waste heat as ways to improve fuel economy.

The EPA proposal will be guided in part by research recently published by the National Academy of Sciences.

That study says considerable fuel efficiency gains are possible through a range of technologies and methods across a variety of truck vocations, and recommends that regulators employ a fuel economy measurement that takes freight into account, such as gallons per ton-mile.

It was prepared by a 19-member committee that includes academics, members of public interest organizations and trucking industry experts, including Duke Drinkard, vice president of maintenance (retired) at Southeastern Freight Lines, David Merrion, executive vice president (retired) at Detroit Diesel, and Charles Salter, executive director of engine development (retired) at Mack Trucks/Volvo Powertrain.

Schaeffer said this announcement highlights the progress that’s been made in improving diesel engine technology, and sets the stage for even more gains. “Diesels can get even more efficient,” he said. “The companies are confident and they support the program because it will give them uniformity and certainty.”

American Trucking Associations President and CEO Bill Graves said the association has been supporting development of fuel economy standards and is looking forward to today’s announcement.

“Reducing fuel consumption and CO2 production is good for the trucking industry and great for the environment,” he said.

Another ATA representative, chairman Tommy Hodges, put it this way: “As chairman of the ATA Sustainability Committee that in 2008 offered truck fuel economy standards and five other recommendations to reduce fuel consumption by 86 billion gallons and carbon emissions by 900 million tons over a 10-year period, I am excited to see the administration moving forward.”

5/20/2010 APL Logistics Hires New Executive to Grow Domestic Rail Business

APL Logistics has appointed Dave Howland as its new vice president of land transport services.

Howland joins from Schneider National, where he served as vice president of rail management.

In his new role, Howland will concentrate on expanding APL Logistics North America domestic transport capabilities, focusing on land transport services and the link between customers’ international and domestic cargo movements.

“We’re moving forward to re-position APL Logistics in the domestic intermodal markets and in building greater coverage in our land-based transportation services to better serve our international, contract logistics and domestic customers,” said Jim McAdam, APL Logistics president.

Prior to joining Schneider, Howland was a manager in intermodal rail and truck brokerage with C.H. Robinson and Burlington Northern Santa Fe.

APL Logistics said it plans to significantly increase the company’s involvement in the U.S. domestic rail business.

Howland will be based at APL Logistics’ North America headquarters in Phoenix.

truckinginfo.com

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#FF Congress …

05/21/2010 Nativegrl77

The Senate will Convene at 2:00p.mET May 24, 2010

There will be a period of morning business until 3:00 p.m. with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

At 3:00 p.m., the Senate will proceed to the consideration of H.R. 4899, the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill.

At approximately 5:30 p.m., the Senate will proceed to a series of 2 roll call votes. Those votes will be in relation to the Brownback and Hutchison motions to instruct conferees with respect to Wall Street Reform.

*******************************************************************

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MAY 21, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

9:04 A.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. on May 24, 2010. ADJUSTMENT OF THE WHOLE NUMBER OF THE HOUSE – Under clause 5(d) of rule 20, the Chair announced to the House that, in light of the resignation of the gentleman from Indiana, Mr. Souder, the whole number of the House is 431.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

9:03 A.M. –

The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.

9:02 A.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Daniel Coughlin.

9:00 A.M. –

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

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OFA … Will you co-sign with us?

05/21/2010 Nativegrl77

Kentucky Republican Rand Paul was born a year before the Civil Rights Act was enacted, but in the past few days, he’s said repeatedly that he opposes key pieces of the law.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was an unambiguous victory in the struggle for equality in the United States. In a single moment, legal segregation in schools and public places came to an end.

But, again and again, in interviews with local press, NPR, and Rachel Maddow, Paul has said that he doesn’t support the law as it was written. He believes that businesses should have the right to discriminate based on race, gender, disability, or any other factor. When asked about whether or not he supports desegregating lunch counters, Paul couldn’t even answer yes or no.

Rand Paul needs to know that his position is unacceptable, and it will take a massive public outcry for him to feel the political consequences. Help us send a message — sign our letter to Rand Paul today.

If you think it’s ridiculous that we’re still debating the merits of the Civil Rights Act today — 46 years after the fact — you’re correct.

But political views like this are exactly why Rand Paul has become a champion for the extreme wing of his party. If he is elected, he will be their voice in the Senate — taking up their plans to roll back all the changes that we’ve worked so hard to achieve and undermine the accomplishments of those who came before us.

It’s time that Rand Paul heard from people who aren’t ring-wing extremists. We’ve written an open letter to Paul to make it clear that his views have no place in 2010. Will you co-sign with us?

http://ky.barackobama.com/RandPaul

Thank you,

Jim

Jim Glenn
Kentucky State Director
Organizing for America

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Pop Quiz …

05/21/2010 Nativegrl77 1 Comment

Pop quiz: Who should pay the bill for the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico?

A) Oil companies*

B) Taxpayers

*Clicking here will add your name to this petition: “Oil companies, not taxpayers, should pay for oil spill damages. Congress should get rid of the limits on oil spill liability.”

Thanks for all you do.

–Steven, Kat, Adam, Ilya, and the rest of the team

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TGIF and some News …

05/21/2010 Nativegrl77

Today, is National Bike to Work day, the 30th anniversary of Pac-Man and Star Wars is being celebrated as well.

The President has another win under his belt, Financial Reform, the biggest overhaul since the 30’s; though some feel the efforts to reform any and all parts of our govt just haven’t gone far enough. He also signed a Fuel efficiency Plan.

Why is Congress afraid of real Reform… Most of us know, not all of us practice it … all things in moderation … in some cases everything will balance itself out … It seems like our Politicians on the Hill are applying this concept to our Reform Bills and though it’s a start; moderation in reforming a system that took us down makes you wonder if the dirty little secret is that money still talks and ultimately controls the votes .

I want to know… where is the will, courage and power, which, the Democratic Party has but seems to fear. The Democratic Party of Yes We Can… have the power to make Health-Care , Wall Street/Bank/Aig, Climate Change, and Immigration Reform Bills stronger, they need to move stricter reform forward. The President and Congress have done great things to create a foundation for Reform and though it’s a start; the key statement from the White House … it’s a start. The hope is for stricter rules, regulations and policies when the House and Senate go into conference and as the President stated the final legislation will be “effective and responsive” .

The bill would have to be merged in conference with one passed by the House of Representatives in December. The Senate could move to final passage as soon as Thursday night, but Friday looks more likely. “That would then set the stage for a House-Senate conference in early June,” said Concept Capital policy analyst Jaret Seiberg.

The truth behind the oil dump is slowly coming out each week; though some folks have stalled any and all video showing what the dump looks like, those have come to the light of day as well; according to tv over 200thousand gallons of oil leaking per day. A Bp Representative, Doug Suttle, spoke on tv today stating they expect to control the situation by late Sunday with a procedure called a TopKill and the relief Well would not be in place until early August. An update was issued and it looks like the solution will take more time.

It’s all very disturbing but the fault lies with the 3stooges =(BP, Halliburton and TransOcean) not the President; this is yet another first and on a major scale .. the BP operation was not prepared for such an event which is very telling and serves as a great warning before they start drilling anywhere else along the coast.

Other News …

**80% of assault weapons in Mexico are coming from America

**The Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Kagan are 6/28

**Target is recalling 350thousand swim trunks

**Pelosi states that the work on Bills in the House of Representatives begins on 6/8

**BP stockholders are suing company execs claiming gross mismanagement

**Secretary of State Hillary Clinton issued a tough warning to North Korea yesterday, “saying the Obama administration would work with regional powers in the coming days to punish Pyongyang” for sinking a South Korean naval vessel. “This can not be business as usual. There must be an international response,” Clinton said.

**Defense Secretary Robert Gates “expressed confidence” yesterday that President Obama would veto “the defense authorization bill over a backup engine for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.” Gates has “repeatedly” expressed his opposition to the engine as too costly, but on Wednesday, a House committee approved another $485 million for development of the engine that “the Pentagon and White House do not want.”TP

**Seattle,WA Green Festival happens on 6/5-6/6

C-SPAN …

LIVE Feed of Underwater BP Oil Spill

Mexican President Address

Hearing on Afghanistan Reconstruction

State Dinner Full Event Coverage

Joint Press Conf.: From Earlier Welcoming Ceremony: From Earlier

DNC Chairman Tim Kaine Remarks

Melting Arctic Ice Opens Uncharted Legal Territory

Thinning arctic ice caps are creating new challenges to the security of Arctic Council nations and the resolution of territorial boundaries. Experts today discuss how these and other issues have affected U.S. national security in international waters. Panelists at the Center for Oceans Law and Policy (COLP) annual conference will also offer advice on what changes should be made to maritime law in response to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and its potential spread beyond U.S. waters.

COLP Conference: C-SPAN at 9:30am ET

Regulators Propose Stricter Financial Accounting Standards

As congressional leaders prepare to reconcile differences on financial regulation legislation (see below left), three federal regulators today outline recommendations on improving financial industry accounting and auditing standards. The House Financial Services Capital Markets Subcommittee hearing is part of a series of inquiries into the 2007- 2008 financial crisis.

House Hearing: C-SPAN2 at 10am ET

Congress to Tackle Financial Regulation Bill Differences After Senate Passage

House and Senate leaders must reconcile their two different financial industry regulation bills before sending final legislation to the President for his signature. The Senate passed its bill Thursday in a 59-to-39 vote that split largely along party lines, with only two Democrats opposing the bill and four Republicans supporting it. The House passed its version in December.

Earlier Thursday, President Obama said he would work to ensure that the final legislation will be “effective and responsive” in limiting industry practices cited as among the causes of the 2007-2008 economic collapse.

Pres. Obama: (5/21)