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WASHINGTON — The Democratic chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, in a speech to American Trucking Associations’ winter meeting here, delivered a scathing criticism of the Bush administration’s handling of transportation issues as he backed the report of a congressional commission that called for major federal spending on infrastructure funded by fuel-tax increases.

The U.S. national average retail diesel fuel price fell 5.6 cents a gallon last week to $3.27, while gasoline dipped 5.1 cents to $3.017, the Department of Energy said.

Corporate Express US said Monday it is now fueling the majority of its 45-truck delivery fleets in Colorado and Kansas with a 20% blend of biodiesel fuel.

So, we were able to keep two important features of the hours-of-service rules in place — which should have been no surprise to any one.

Maine Gov. John Baldacci (D) signed a bill to temporarily allow trucks hauling forest products to exceed state weight limits by 5% in hopes of helping them offset high fuel prices, the Associated Press reported.

U.S. retail fuel prices dipped last week, as crude oil costs fell. The Department of Energy said the average price for diesel around the nation was 5 cents a gallon lower at $3.326, while gas slipped 4.1 cents to $3.068.

The issue of pollution is well understood, and few today would argue the link between global warming and emissions.