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“There isn’t anything that we don’t need right now,” said Tim Love, a volunteer at the center. The destruction of major roads, combined with the natural terrain of the southern Appalachians, have made the rapid distribution of aid an ongoing challenge. The devastation in North Carolina and Tennessee has left two major interstates, Interstate 40 and Interstate 26, largely closed down and inaccessible. According to data from the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the entire western border of the state has limited access. Hundreds of road incidents across the region have made numerous roadways blocked and inaccessible due to the damage.

Persons: Hurricane Helene, ”, Tim Love, “ We’ve, we’ve, Chris Spear, ” Spear Organizations: BRISTOL, —, American Trucking Association, NBC News, North Carolina Department of Transportation Locations: Tenn, Unicoi County , Tennessee, Hurricane, Tennessee, “, North Carolina

☆ New California Rule Would Ban Sale of Diesel Trucks by 2036
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-29 | by ( Neelam Bohra | Coral Davenport | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

The rule is the latest in a series of increasingly ambitious moves by California and the federal government to curb planet-warming pollution from vehicles, the nation’s largest source of greenhouse gases. The California Air Resources Board approved the regulation, which by 2045 would fully eliminate the sale of new trucks that emit carbon dioxide across the state. The rule builds in intermediate goals in the coming years for government organizations and private companies to decrease their use of diesel trucks. But the American Trucking Associations, a trade organization for the trucking industry, criticized the ban, saying that it has worked to significantly reduce emissions but needs more flexibility. The state hopes the ban will save money related to health costs caused by pollution, including asthma attacks and respiratory illness.

The rule also require transitioning existing fleets to zero-emission vehicles. Big rigs, local delivery and government fleets must transition to zero emission by 2035, garbage trucks and local buses by 2039, and sleeper cab tractors and specialty vehicles by 2042. American Trucking Associations Chief Executive Chris Spear criticized the decision to force motor carriers to purchase zero-emission vehicles. On Thursday, CARB adopted new locomotive regulations requiring that by 2030 only those less than 23 years old could operate in the state. The Biden administration must still approve waivers for California to implement the new regulations.

☆ Lawmakers aim to train more truck drivers, ease supply chain issues through bipartisan bill
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Chelsey Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

A semi truck used by students while earning their commercial driver's license (CDL) parked at Truck America Training of Kentucky in Shepherdsville, Kentucky, U.S., on Monday, Oct. 25, 2021. WASHINGTON — A pair of bipartisan lawmakers have reintroduced legislation offering tax credits to U.S. truck drivers in an effort to address a dire pandemic-related shortage. The Strengthening Supply Chains Through Truck Driver Incentives Act aims to combat what lawmakers said was a shortfall of about 80,000 commercial truck drivers in 2021, caused by hiring and retention challenges. The bill would establish a two-year refundable tax credit of up to $7,500 for truck drivers with a valid Class A commercial driver's license who drive at least 1,900 hours in a year. Ten advocacy organizations representing the trucking industry, including the American Trucking Associations and American Loggers Council, have backed the bill.

☆ US approves California plan requiring half of heavy duty trucks be EV by 2035
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

California Governor Gavin Newsom said as a result of the plan, "half of all heavy duty trucks sold in CA will be electric by 2035." The California Air Resources Board (CARB) had sought waivers from the Clean Air Act to set heavy-duty vehicle and engine emission standards. CARB has noted heavy-duty vehicles greater than 14,000 pounds comprised 3% of vehicles on California roads, but account for more than 50% of nitrogen oxides and fine particle diesel pollution. In December, the EPA finalized new emissions standards to drastically cut smog- and soot-forming emissions from heavy-duty trucks. Transportation is the largest source of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, making up 29% of emissions, and heavy-duty vehicles are the second-largest contributor, at 23%.

New York (CNN Business) The US economy can keep running without freight trains — but not for long. But a rail strike could send prices shooting higher again due to limited supplies. The National Retail Federation said last week it is concerned about shortages later this year if there is a rail strike. A rail strike would "devastate the movement of manufactured products that families depend on." CommutingAlthough only the nation's freight rail lines face a pending strike, many of the nation's commuter trains travel on tracks maintained and operated by the freight railroads.

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