Fuel

Crude oil closed at more than $60 a barrel for the first time this year Wednesday, while the Department of Energy reported Thursday that inventories of both gasoline and distillate fuel saw big decreases last week.

The average national retail price of diesel fuel rose 1.5 cents to $2.491 a gallon, the Energy Department reported Tuesday.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The new chairman of the Senate Finance Committee told directors of American Trucking Associations last week that he supported creation of federal financial incentives to help fleets purchase new, cleaner-burning diesel engines and auxiliary power units.

ARLINGTON, Va. — American Trucking Associations said last week it would become more vocal in its support for increased fuel efficiency in heavy trucks and ratified an agreement with the biodiesel industry to promote that fuel at the federal level.

Most major truck engine manufacturers said they are now testing prototypes of engines developed to meet the federal government’s 2010 diesel engine emission standards. Two of them said they will have engines available for testing next year.

For anyone who operates a commercial truck, there is little doubt about the importance of the vehicle’s fuel efficiency — especially in this era of historically high diesel and gasoline prices.

The average national price of retail diesel fuel jumped 4.1 cents to $2.476 a gallon, the Department of Energy said Monday.

Forward Air Corp., a contractor to the air cargo industry, reported its fourth-quarter net income matched the previous year’s, at $12.2 million, while earnings per share climbed to 40 cents a share from 38 cents.

SAN ANTONIO — Truck-stop industry officials meeting here said their main focus this year would be preparing for the expected increase in biodiesel use.

Click here to write a Letter to the Editor. Undoubtedly, there is a need to pursue alternatives to decrease fuel consumption, lower our dependency on fossil fuels, promote cleaner air and reduce CO2 emissions.