ARLINGTON, Va. — The American Trucking Associations has announced its support for a bipartisan energy bill which calls for domestic oil drilling, tax incentives, and alternative energy research to lower the price of fuel for the nation’s 3.5 million truck drivers and American consumers.

ATA first vice-chairman Charles “Shorty” Whittington, and professional truck driver Tony Sifford, spoke about the need for action on energy issues at a press conference held by US Rep. Nick Lampson (D-Texas) at ATA’s National Truck Driving Championships in Houston, Texas.

“Trucking delivers America,” said Whittington. “Trucks transport virtually 100% of groceries, medicine, clothing, appliances and even the fuel that’s pumped at the local gas station. Diesel fuel prices are hurting us and driving up the costs of all of these consumer goods. We need a comprehensive energy plan. The National Conservation, Environment, and Energy Independence Act is part of this comprehensive solution.”

If enacted, the National Conservation, Environment, and Energy Independence Act would. increase domestic production of energy, by allowing exploration of the outer continental shelf and vast oil shale reserves. The act would also promote the use of alternative energy sources, such as biodiesel, by extending the biodiesel tax credit to ensure that consumers are incentivized to use this renewable resource, and it would target revenues produced from domestic oil leases to the development of energy conservation technologies.
“Petroleum’s high price is not only straining family budgets at the pump,” Rep. Lampson said. “It’s driving up the price of groceries and basic household goods because truckers are paying three times more for diesel than they did four years ago. This plan is a comprehensive energy solution that includes domestic drilling and alternative energy research. It will resolve the crisis American families are facing.”
Tony Sifford, a professional truck driver with over 1.8 million accident-free miles, compared the year-over-year cost of fuel for his regular roundtrip route from Hillsville, Va., to Dallas, Texas. At this time last year, Sifford’s fuel bill was $1,680. That same trip recently cost $2,826.

Sifford said truck drivers are doing their part to reduce fuel consumption by slowing truck speeds, reducing idling and properly maintaining equipment. Such steps, however, do not begin to offset the rising cost of fuel, he said.

“I’m trying to do my part,” Sifford said. “But we can’t continue to run our business at these high prices. The high cost of diesel is cutting into our already tight margins. I’ve had a number of friends go out of business already this year. We can’t continue to run our business with these high prices.”