ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø

WASHINGTON — The chairwoman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee said she was preparing to finish work on a new long-term highway bill by next spring while also seeking a six-month extension of the existing law.

Federal and California environmental regulators have certified 2010 engines of AB Volvo’s two North American brands — Volvo and Mack — the companies said Nov. 16. They are the first engine manufacturers to gain official approval.

The U.S. diesel and gasoline price averages both dipped for a second week, giving back some of the strong October surge in refined product costs during the four previous weeks. Crude oil fluctuated but remained below $80 a barrel.

The House Transportation Committee last week approved a bill that would prohibit the transport of flammable liquids in unprotected product piping on new cargo tankers in two years and in existing tankers by the end of 2025.

When large, corporate-owned fleets such as U.S. Foodservice and Wal-Mart Transportation were pressured by their owners to meet environmental sustainability goals even during the current faltering economy, it made the news.

An index of leading economic indicators rose 0.3% in October, marking the seventh straight gain, the New York-based Conference Board said Thursday.

Manufacturing levels in the Philadelphia expanded at a faster pace in November than in October, the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia said Thursday.

Housing starts fell 11% in October, while building permits also declined, the Commerce Department said Wednesday.