A must read regarding the California CARB program

California trucking group slams CARB fuel policies

The California Trucking Association released a study that shows significant job losses directly attributable to the California Air Resources Board’s fuel policies. Goods movement and agriculture sectors especially will be hard hit if the policies are allowed to go into effect as currently designed, CTA says.

CTA says the report, titled “The Impact of the Low Carbon Fuel Standard and Cap-and-Trade Programs on California Retail Diesel Prices,” demonstrates the effect that CARB’s regulatory actions will have on the state’s retail diesel future, leading to a $6.69 per gallon price tag.

The Stonebridge Associates study finds that by 2020, CARB’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard, in combination with the AB 32 Cap-and-Trade Program, could increase the price of diesel fuel by $2.22 per gallon; that would represent more than a 50 percent increase in the price of diesel fuel and $6.69 per gallon at the retail pump. The average price difference between California and neighboring states would be $2.33 per gallon when accounting for taxes.

According to the study, between 2015 and 2020, these higher “California-only” diesel fuel costs will cause a loss of nearly 617,000 jobs in the containerized import sector, $68.5 billion in lost state domestic product, $21.7 billion in lost income and $5.3 billion in lost state and local taxes. CTA says the study states that a “California-only” diesel will put California’s transportation sector at a significant competitive disadvantage.

“CTA is supportive of the production and use of alternative fuels, but the cost gap between CARB’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard and the diesel fuel that the other 49 states will continue to use is unacceptable,” says Scott Blevins, president of Mountain Valley Express and 2012 CTA president. “This is a serious setback for any business dependent on diesel fuel for its operations. State regulators need to step down from their ‘ivory tower’ and understand the impact of these unfair policies on California truckers. CARB’s blind pursuit of policies that will drive many California-based trucking companies out of state or out of business should be of great concern to all Californians.”

CTA says the report states the diesel fuel price increases will cast an even wider net, affecting food, fuel, clothing and other essential services transported by trucks. The report can be downloaded at http://caltrux.org/LCFS.

Story from truckersnew.com

Several crashes in Tampa on Interstate 275

Interstate 275 in Tampa was closed for hours today when several vehicles were involved in two crashes.

At 12:18 p.m., four vehicles crashed on I-275 southbound mile marker 46, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Three of the vehicles were Hyundai Sonatas and the other was a Nissan Maxima.

The drivers were taken to St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa with minor injuries and the at-fault driver was cited for careless driving, according to the FHP.

The roadway was re-opened at 2:04 p.m.

Then, at 12:53 p.m., three vehicles crashed also on I-275 southbound near Fowler Avenue.  This crash involved a Nissan, Honda and Toyota. There were no injuries. One driver was cited for careless driving.

The highway reopened at 1:36 p.m.

Story from TBO.com

Our promise to you

We strive to provide the highest quality service at all times. We are committed to a professionally handled transportation experience accomplished by understanding and delivering on expectations.

To keep in line with our service promise, here are a few things our drivers do to uphold the highest level of customer service possible:

·         Every time they disconnect, they sweep out the trailers to have it clean for the next load.

·         They notify dispatch if they’re going to be arriving late or if they’re experiencing a longer off load so we can get our customers involved.

·         Our drivers notify dispatch when leaving or arriving at the customer or cosignee in order to keep customers up-to-date on the location of their load.

·         They ensure the freight is secure before leaving the loading dock.

TMS Logistics consistently delivers superior, on-time performance as a result of building a strong dispatch team, operating well-maintained, late-model equipment, hiring quality drivers and fully utilizing technology.

Drinking and driving

We’ve all heard it time and time again, don’t drink and drive. It's a simple concept. If you drink alcohol, call a cab. It’s really not rocket science. But too many times someone will think of some completely illogical reason they need to get behind the wheel after they’ve had a few. Some excuses I’ve heard:

1.       It’s not that far, I can definitely make it.

2.       I have no cash for a cab.

3.       I need my car first thing in the morning, so I can’t take a cab.

4.       I’ll just drive really slow.

5.       I only had a few, I’m 95% sober.

6.       It won’t happen to me, I’ll be fine.

7.       There are not even any cops out tonight/on the side of town/looking at me.

8.      My car will be towed if I leave it overnight.

And the excuses go on and on. It seems that constantly there are stories in the news about a drunk driver that killed someone, destroyed public property, caused never ending traffic backups, and even killed themselves. But for some reason, certain people drink and drive. Even worse are those who actually plan to drink and drive! They go to the bars and try to keep their drinking to a "reasonable" limit and then drive home. It’s insane and completely irresponsible.

I get it. You think you’re invincible or just super special and nothing bad will ever happen to you. Well give it time, it’ll be you eventually.  The only system that I have found that works is planning on not having a car to begin with. If you take a cab there, then the problem is always solved. You have to figure out a way to get the cash for the cab, you’ll have your car in the morning, you won’t have to try to monitor your alcohol intake and you will NEVER get a dui. Granted, you’re still not safe... although you’re in a cab, the jerk next to you thinks he’s invincible and just got in his car…

Spread the word. Plan ahead – Take a cab – Don’t drink and drive.

Click here for more reasons not to drink and drive.

Inside sales associate needed at Reed Transport

Reed Transport is currently seeking applications from self-motivated, dedicated personnel with experience or interest in the diverse transportation and logistics industry. Primary duties include: Assisting in lead identification, initial lead contact and qualification and development of lead throughout process up to closing of new business.  Heavy phone based sales position with potential to grow into multiple roles within growing business (outside sales, operations coordinator/manager, inside sales manager or account manager).

Our employees are part of a growing, dynamic, entrepreneurial business that offers above market compensation packages including:

·         Competitive base pay

·         Incentive driven bonus plans

·         Company performance bonus plans

·         Retirement plan

·         Health, dental, vision and other benefits

·         Lunches and beverages

·         Employee outings

For more information on Reed Transport: www.reedtms.com

For information about the position: http://www.reedtms.com/Careers-ReedTMSLogistics.php

Did you know hot fuel delivers less energy per gallon?

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. "Hot fuel" refers to the expansion of gas or diesel fuel in warmer months. Critics charge that when the fuel expands, it delivers less energy per gallon to the consumer, but the consumer is still charged the same price per gallon.

Oil companies argued that consumers benefitted in cold weather because fuel contracts and then contains more energy per gallon than usual. The companies also claimed that it would be too expensive to equip every retail pump with a temperature compensating device. Sixty degrees is the century-old government standard for gas or diesel sold at the pumps.

In 2006, the Kansas City Star wrote a series of stories about the issue, estimating that hot fuel cost consumers $2.3 billion dollars a year. With today's fuel prices, that would be as much as $3.5 billion. After the Star's reports, class-action lawsuits sprouted up against dozens of companies, including oil giants and fuel-station chains. Being that I live in Florida, I think I am getting the short end of this stick no matter what way you look at it…

Read the full story here.

Should there be an age limit on driving?

Everyone has thought about it. Should the DMV take away your license at a certain age or should it be a case-by-case situation? Personally, I don’t know what’s worse, 100 year-old drivers or 16 year-old drivers who can’t put their cell phones down. I can’t say I believe that once you turn a certain age the DMV simply revokes your license, but I am in favor of some sort of continuing education in place for all drivers as there is for many professions. If every five years you had to retake a driving test, I think we’d all be better off. Personally, I like to think I’m a good driver, but that’s not the problem. It’s about the hundreds of people I pass on a daily basis that worry me…

Driving is difficult when you stop and think about it. Check the traffic ahead, the traffic around you, in your side mirrors, rearview mirrors, check for pedestrians, bikers, debris in the road, speed limits, speed limit changes, construction zones, trains, semi-trucks, motorcycles, red lights, stop-and-go traffic, turn signal-go left, turn signal-go right, head lights, parking lights, backing up, parallel parking, angled parking, straight in parking, and the list goes on and on.

My point is if every few years, everyone was required to undergo some sort of written and driving test it would only help. More jobs are created at the DMV, more drivers keep their driving knowledge fresh, and when people don’t bother doing it, the county would get more money for in tickets and fees. Yes, we ALL hate the DMV and I am no exception. But you know what I hate more than the DMV? Getting hit by someone who shouldn’t have a valid license to begin with.

Click here for a good read to add in the debate.

Some roads will get money for much-needed repairs

The government is seeing the need to repair many of our nation’s roadways, mostly due to natural disasters. The Department of Transportation is allocating $62 million to repair numerous roadways and bridges. Although how the money will be spread out is still up for debate, some of the money already has a home. Some of the winners are: Alaska - $11.9 million to repair flood damages, Alabama: $1.8 million for sinkhole damages, South Carolina: $3.8 million for bridge damage and Washington: $5.8 million for landslide damage and another $8.6 million for storm damage.   

This is definitely a good plan by the government. Roads are vital to any community’s survival. If you can’t travel, there could potentially be serious problems. Being in Florida, I have seen many roads ruined by hurricanes mostly due to flooding and it’s very frustrating and sometimes downright impossible to get around. And many towns simply don’t have the money to hire local contractors to repair major damages. So kootoes to the government for helping out.

Read the full story here

Rising gas prices not a problem for all

Seems that everyone is griping and crying over the seemingly never ending hikes at the pump. But, it’s safe to say, not everyone is experiencing these problems. There are multiple cases where the oil boom is actually increasing profits for many businesses around the country. I found many of these businesses, but I thought I’d just highlight three.

1.       Hulsing and Associates Architects: Many cities and counties are expanding their infrastructure and some of those projects have been going to Hulsing and Associates. Most of the projects involve designing buildings like schools, water treatment plants and courthouses. They’re also doing additions to many county courthouses because of all the oil men who come in. Courthouses are expanding in part to better accommodate the influx of oil workers researching land titles.

2.       The Carrizo Springs Javelin: This local newspaper now averages roughly 20 pages per issue up from about 12 pages. This is because of the increase in advertisements. The classified ads are mostly aimed at the oil industry and involve everything from citations for landowners to ads for parking spots for the RVs in which many of the workers live.

3.       Quallion: A custom battery manufacturer is hoping to capitalize on the increasing cost of fuel by selling lithium-ion batteries to power idling trucks. Government grants will allow Quallion to mass produce lithium-ion batteries -- power packs that are lighter, smaller and have a longer cycle life than their lead acid counterparts.

So although the gas prices are hitting many of our wallets pretty hard, some companies are lucky enough to increase profits because of the increases. So next time you gas up, be thankful that it's at least helping some businesses out, instead of hurting us all.