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BILLINGS, Mont. — U.S. energy consumption plummeted to its lowest level in more than 30 years this spring as the nation’s economy largely shut down because of the coronavirus, federal officials reported July 29.

Oil was propped up by the biggest decline in U.S. crude stockpiles this year, signaling a bright spot in a market weakened by the COVID-19 pandemic.

President Donald Trump said that Republicans and Democrats aren’t close to resolving their differences over a coronavirus stimulus package, and that Congress may need to pass some stopgap measures to prevent aid from running out.

Earlier this month, local letter carriers were told to delay delivering mail in order to save money for the United States Postal Service, a direction that apparently came from top federal officials to mail carriers throughout the country.

A sharp rebound in gasoline consumption that helped to drive oil prices higher appears to be running out of steam, a development that should be a cause for concern across the petroleum industry.

With much of the country looking to Washington for assistance, slow-moving negotiations on the next COVID-19 economic stimulus package have been marked by partisan disagreements.

The Transportation Research Board’s 100th annual meeting will be held virtually this winter due to concerns over COVID-19.

USDOT created a toolkit intended to help those interested in participating in the Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success program.

U.S. consumer confidence declined in July by more than forecast as a pickup in COVID-19 cases rattled Americans’ sentiment about prospects for the economy and the job market.

Diesel fell for the second consecutive week, by six-tenths of a cent to $2.427 a gallon from $2.433, the Energy Information Administration reported July 27.