U.S. Diesel Prices Dip Slightly

After seven straight weeks of increases, average U.S. diesel prices reversed course this week, dipping less than a penny to $2.608 a gallon. Over the previous seven weeks, the price had increased more than 43 cents, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

The average price of a gallon of diesel is $2.037 less than a year ago when prices jumped to close to $5 a gallon.

Price dips of less than 1 cent were reported in almost all regions tracked by DOE except for the Rocky Mountains, where week-over-week prices gained 1.7 cents to $2.631. The other exception was in the Gulf Coast, where the price dropped 1.4 cents. The least expensive region is the Midwest at $2.569, and the most costly is California at $2.785.

For state-by-state diesel prices, updated daily, click here.

TCA to Host Webcast About Cutting Maintenance Costs

The Truckload Carriers Association's Truckload Academy is hosting a webcast titled "Ratcheting Down Your Maintenance Costs," on July 1, 2009. The session will provide industry best practices for safely and effectively trimming maintenance costs.

Click here for more information.

 

Bill Would Address Redundant Background Checks

The U.S. House of Representatives Thursday passed a bill that would address the issue of redundant background checks for port and hazmat truck drivers.

H.R. 2200, which reauthorized spending for the Transportation Security Administration, also addressed the problem of drivers having to go through more than one criminal background check for different credentials.

Click here to read more.