U.S. House of Representatives on Sept. 23 passed a bill (H.R. 3617) to extend the authorization for highway-related programs – including motor carrier safety – for three months beyond its Sept. 30 expiration without any new mandates or policy changes. Senate leaders and the Obama administration favor an 18-month extension. The issue had not yet been settled as CCJ went to press.
Anne Ferro, President Obama’s nominee to head the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, testified Sept. 23 at a confirmation hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee. Safety advocacy groups and the Teamsters have opposed Ferro, currently head of the Maryland Motor Truck Association, because of her support for the Bush administration’s hours-of-service regulations and her ties to the trucking industry.
American Trucking Associations asked the U.S. Minerals Management Service to include regions on the Outer Continental Shelf in the 2010-1015 program that determines what territories may be leased for offshore oil and natural gas drilling. MMS estimates that the federal OCS resources, which currently are off-limits, harbor 18 billion barrels of oil and 77 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.
Con-way Truckload announced the launch of Con-way Truckload Regional, which will deliver short-haul truckload shipments of less than 600 miles, including cartage service for truckload shipments of less than 100 miles. The company also plans to offer drayage services as part of Con-way Truckload Regional.
Bosselman Boss Shops announced a 15-location acquisition of J Care Service Centers, a subsidiary of Flying J Travel Plazas. The management changeover began Sept. 1 and will be completed by the end of the year.
