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WASHINGTON — Several lawmakers, Department of Transportation officials and experts have expressed concern with elements of a vehicle miles traveled tax, which some advocates tout as a replacement for the federal fuel tax, while also cautioning that a transition to VMT could be a slow process.

Requests for funding related to the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act will be accepted until Dec. 8, the Environmental Protection Agency said.

Hauling food products, such as meat, eggs and dairy products, over long distances is more energy-efficient and less polluting than buying food from local growers, according to a new academic study.

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.

In a first step toward satisfying its obligations detailed in an out-of-court settlement with American Trucking Associations, Port of Long Beach commissioners last week gave preliminary approval to a new drayage truck registration process that will simplify and limit requirements of the port’s clean trucks plan.

Natural gas is not a viable alternative fuel for most longhaul trucking operations, but it could be an acceptable alternative fuel for some shorthaul carriers, American Trucking Associations told the Senate Energy Committee.