Company makes diesel with sun, water, CO2

A Massachusetts biotechnology company says it can produce the fuel that runs Jaguars and jet engines using the same ingredients that make grass grow.

Joule Unlimited has invented a genetically-engineered organism that it says simply secretes diesel fuel or ethanol wherever it finds sunlight, water and carbon dioxide.

The Cambridge, Mass.-based company says it can manipulate the organism to produce the renewable fuels on demand at unprecedented rates, and can do it in facilities large and small at costs comparable to the cheapest fossil fuels.

To read more about this fascinating article visit thetrucker.com and don’t forget to get a free quote for commercial trucking at berrierinsurance.com or call one of our experts at 530-823-8000. We can offer you the lowest and most comprehensive coverage for your trucks, business, or personal autos!

International Towing Museum

The International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum in Chattanooga Tennessee is a true testament to the history of commercial trucking. An awe inspiring visit to say the least featuring restored antique wreckers and equipment, industry related displays of collectible toys, tools, unique equipment, and pictorial histories of manufacturers who pioneered a worldwide industry. Chattanooga is known as the birth place to the first wrecker, where it was fabricated and patented by Ernest Homes in 1916 establishing the Ernest Holmes Company. Visit the Museum in Chattanoogs’s historical downtown and you may get a personalized tour from Manager Frank Thomas, the man who knows all the best stories.



For more information visit their site International Towing and don't forget to check out our site too! We specialize in commercial trucking insurance including tow trucks! That's not all we do though, we can also get you coverage for your motorcycle, ATVs, personal auto, and boats! Visit us at BerrierInsurance.com and call us for a quick free quote at 530-823-800

New DOT Proposal Allows Mexican Trucks into the US

Obama plans to admit Mexican trucks to drive US highways and roads as a starting point for negotiations intended to resolve a longstanding dispute between the two nations. The proposal aims to satisfy the obligations of the US under the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), while also prioritizing the safety of products transported across the border.

In 2009 Congress blocked the cross border truck safety pilot program with the Omnibus Appropriation Act. Since the US is not currently meeting its NAFTA obligations to allow a pilot program of Mexican trucks to enter the US, Mexico has placed retaliatory tariffs on many US goods, including fresh produce items entering Mexico. Given the economic impact on the fresh produce industry and the damage caused to US-Mexico trade, United Fresh contends that the crisis must be resolved urgently.

However when the U.S. Department of Transportation's revealed its plans for opening American roads to Mexican trucking companies, the proposal met with the ire of U.S. truck drivers. Expressed concerns over jobs, safety and environmental regulations being met, and crime trafficking are being brought to light.

The new DOT proposal includes a five-step process for any Mexican carrier seeking to operate inside the U.S. There will be an application process followed by a vetting procedure that would require both the Dept. of Homeland Security and the Dept. of Justice to sign off on the carrier.

Initially, a limited number of carriers would be allowed into the program, DOT said, to allow for proper program oversight. However there is still great concern that questionable trucks and sketchy wheel-men will slip through the cracks.

"It will take substantial effort on the part of the Obama Administration and Congress to work through the concepts in this proposal and create a final agreement acceptable to all parties," Director of International Trade Policy Doug Goudie said

Read more about the new DOT proposal in the New York Times and make sure you and your truck are properly insured. Berrier insurance offers the best rates on commercial truck insurance! Contact us and we will give you a free truck insurance quote over the phone at 888-472-4915.

Trucking Adds 2,600 Jobs

Trucking companies added 2,600 new employees on a seasonally adjusted basis in December on top of an upward revision in the November estimate.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics added 3,000 jobs to its initial November figures, so the number of trucking jobs reported for December actually is 5,600 higher than what BLS reported for November a month ago.

For-hire trucking companies added 18,800 jobs in December compared to the same 2009 month, making December the third straight month in which employment grew on a year-over-year basis. Until October, trucking employment levels had not been higher than in the same month the previous year since June 2007. Since the beginning of March, trucking companies have added 22,900 jobs, according to the latest estimates

According to preliminary BLS figures, total employment in trucking in November was more than 1.25 million – down 203,100, or 14 percent, from peak trucking employment in January 2007. The BLS numbers reflect all payroll employment in for-hire trucking, but they don’t include trucking-related jobs in other industries, such as a truck driver for a private fleet. Nor do the numbers reflect the total amount of hiring since they only include new jobs, not replacements for existing positions.

Figures for trucking do not include the express delivery companies, which fall under the category of “couriers and messenger” in BLS data. According to preliminary numbers, employment in that category rose by 3,300 over a strong November jump as companies like UPS and FedEx added temporary jobs related to peak holiday season deliveries.

Nationwide, the employment picture was stronger as the unemployment rate dropped from 9.8 percent to 9.4 percent. The economy added 103,000 non-farm payroll jobs in December — the largest increase in several months. Most of the growth was in leisure/hospitality, health care and temporary jobs.

This is really great news, and we are glad to finally hear that things are looking up for our favorite industry. If you are in need of affordable truck insurance, stop by at BerrierInsurance.com and ask for a fast, free quote. We have been specializing in trucking insurance in California, Oregon, Nevada and Arizona for almost 30 years. We give you the best protection with quality truck insurance and the lowest price possible and the friendliest staff.

Truckers: Who Has the Worst Showers on the Road?

After hours of driving wouldn't it be nice to be able to get a little R&R and wash away all those miles? Finding nice facilities can sometimes be a challenge especially when out in the middle of nowhere. Often they can be so frighteningly filthy that even the toughest trucker would be scared away. We asked our followers where they would suggest to stay away from, who they say has the worst showers on the road. Here are the results:

Petro	11.3%
Pilot	11.3%
Flying J	06.8%
TA	31.8%
Loves	13.6%
Other	13.6%
All of the above	11.3%

Statistics based on polls featured on the Truckers Report and our facebook page.

Insure your truck with Berrier Insurance! We love them big rigs and have specialized in big rig insurance since 1981. Call the Insurance Divas today for a quick comparison quote 888-472-4915. We'll treat you right!

Outlook Improves for Trucking Industry

There are signs that the economy is rebounding and trucking may be among the first industries to reap the rewards.

November Class 8 truck orders for North America was up 38% over October, according to the FTR Associates. That is the highest monthly order increase in more than 4 years and the fourth consecutive month that orders increased. This includes orders in the United States, Canada, Mexico and exports.

Eric Starks, president of FTR said, “This can be chalked up as a win for the industry. The fact that truckers are willing to start ordering equipment is certainly a good sign.”

Leasing companies and large fleets pushed those numbers higher, and forecasters say until small and medium-size fleets begin placing orders, “we will continue to be optimistic, but with a degree of caution.”

In another positive sign, lenders say they have capital and are ready to work with trucking companies to borrow money.

Crestmark Transportation Services say now is an ideal time to do a financial tune up and start making plans for the New Year for how they need to operate or grow their business.

Trucking moves America and any resurgence in equipment purchases, financial transactions and an open credit market are good signs for everyone.

Buying a new truck? Insure your truck with Berrier Insurance! We love them big rigs and we specialize in commercial trucking insurance in California, Oregon, Nevada and Arizona. Call us today for a quick comparison quote 888-472-4915.

Agency to Consider Speed Rule in 2012

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced it will launch a rule making on the issue in 2012 on requiring devices to limit speed in trucks.

According to a notice to be published in the Jan. 3 Federal Register, NHTSA is granting two separate petitions for rulemaking filed in 2006 – one by the American Trucking Associations and the other by safety advocacy group Road Safe America along with nine trucking companies -- Schneider National, C.R. England, H.O. Wolding, ATS Intermodal, Dart Transit, J.B. Hunt, U.S. Xpress, Covenant Transport and Jet Express.

Both petitions proposed installation of devices on new trucks that would limit top speed to 68 mph on trucks with gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWR) greater than 26,000 pounds. The major difference between the petitions is that Road Safe America and its nine carrier allies also want speed limiters mandated on all existing trucks built after 1990.

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association is opposed, however. “Speed limiting a truck at 68 miles per hour, or at any other speed, will not improve highway safety,” said Todd Spencer, executive vice president of OOIDA. “All credible highway research shows that highways are safest when all vehicles travel at the same speed and that different speeds for cars and trucks actually increase the likelihood of accidents.”

A study conducted by the University of Arkansas showed that speed limit differences between trucks and cars increase speed differentials, which create more dangerous interactions between trucks and cars, OOIDA said. Also, a study conducted by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute shows that speed limited trucks are overrepresented in rear-end fatalities involving large trucks. Four percent of all trucks are speed limited, yet half of the rear-end fatalities involving trucks were with speed-limited trucks, the association pointed out.

NHTSA’s notice granting the petitions does not explain why it won’t begin the rulemaking for more than a year. The notice does mention, however, that NHTSA expects FMCSA to publish findings of a study on the safety impact and associated economic benefits of speed limiters in commercial motor vehicles.

The decision to grant the petitions from ATA and Road Safe America to conduct a rulemaking does not mean that a final rule will be issued, NHTSA said in its Federal Register notice. “The determination of whether to issue a rule is made after study of the requested action and the various alternatives in the course of the rulemaking proceeding, in accordance with statutory criteria.”

Even if NHTSA doesn’t ultimately adopt the specific rule ATA and Road Safe America seek, speed limiters would become more common under another rule NHTSA and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency already propose related to heavy-truck fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions reduction. Under the EPA/NHTSA proposal, truck manufacturers would face mandates to increase fuel efficiency of tractor-trailers though use of several technologies, including vehicle speed limiters.

More information on the petitions for rulemaking and comments on those petitions are available at http://www.regulations.gov/ by searching NHTSA-2007-26851.

Also if you are in need of affordable truck insurance, stop by at BerrierInsurance.com and ask for a fast, free quote. We have been specializing in trucking insurance in California, Oregon, Nevada and Arizona for almost 30 years. We give you the best protection with quality truck insurance and the lowest price possible and the friendliest staff.