ATA Seeks Comprehensive Solution to Diesel Fuel Crisis

The trucking industry consumes more than 39 billion gallons of diesel annually. The rapid increases in the price of petroleum and refined products - such as diesel - have adversely impacted trucking companies. For most trucking companies fuel has now surpassed labor as the single largest operating expense and trucking company bankruptcies are on the rise. Against this backdrop, ATA has been lobbying Congress to enact a comprehensive solution to the energy crisis.

On the supply side, we need to begin drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve (ANWR), the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) and utilizing the oil shale resources in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming. These resources have been estimated to contain more oil than Saudi Arabia and should be developed in an environmentally responsible manner. We also must examine coal-to-liquids technology and define the appropriate role for renewable resources, such as biodiesel. 

Increasing the supply of oil is part of the answer, but it is not a total solution. The trucking industry is working to limit the demand for diesel, as well. Trucking companies across the nation are reducing emissions and improving the efficiency of truck transportation. ATA recently announced its six-point environmental sustainability plan for substantially reducing fuel consumption and carbon output.

The fuel crisis we face today will not be solved by partisan politics. We are not going to be able to conserve our way out of this crisis; nor will increased production provide a total solution.  We need to address both sides of the supply / demand equation.