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Transport Topics does a service to its readership with its continuing coverage of environmental regulations, and the Jan. 21 issue is no exception.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Uncertainty about the life cycle of key emission control components and higher maintenance costs have emerged as the top concerns fleets have with 2007 heavy-duty diesel engines, maintenance and equipment heads at several major carriers said here.

Truck buyers for some of the nation’s largest fleets are already contemplating their choices for the January 2010 generation of heavy-duty truck engines. Their challenge is matching the original equipment manufacturers they like with one of the two main technologies upon which the OEMs will rely.

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.

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.

The Environmental Protection Agency has completed its draft of new regulations to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions from cars and trucks, Bloomberg reported.

The commission charged with examining the future of the national transportation system is set to recommend a significant increase in federal fuel taxes to Congress, according to wire service reports and other sources.

Polar Air Cargo Worldwide said Wednesday it will begin service to Japan, from Chicago, starting Feb. 21.

The average price of diesel fuel rose 3.7 cents to $3.345 a gallon last week while the price of crude oil pushed past $100 a barrel for the first time, which analysts said would soon lead to higher fuel prices.