The American Trucking Associations told Congres this week that a cap-and-trade program would result in significant costs to the trucking industry and American consumers.


Tommy Hodges, ATA first vice chairman, presented a statement to Congress, explaining how the association feels about the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009.

"Fleets are extremely sensitive to rapidly shifting operating costs given thin operating margins," Hodges said. "These margins continue to be chipped away, given the numerous and unprecedented costs being imposed upon the industry to reduce emissions from trucks."

Hodges said that granting oil refiners 2 percent of the carbon allowances between 2014 and 2016 would have adverse effects on the trucking industry's costs.

"This amount is inadequate and will result in significant price increases for refined products," he said. "The 2 percent allotment to refineries over a 2-year period covers the refineries' facility emissions, but totally ignores carbon emissions from the combustion of petroleum products, leaving downstream users, such as trucking companies, exposed to dramatic and sudden fuel price spikes."

ATA's Sustainability Task Force, where Hodges also serves as chairman, has created a plan for sustainability that includes decreasing fuel consumption by 86 billion gallons and CO2 emissions by 900 million tons for all vehicles over the next 10 years.

For the ATA's entire sustainability report, visit www.trucksdeliver.org.