OOIDA applauds
White House energy initiatives but will continue to push for mandatory
fuel surcharge
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association has expressed
its support of the Bush administration's long-term energy outlook,
but remains concerned that America's truckers need immediate relief.
At the OOIDA board of directors' spring business meeting earlier
this month, the board named the pursuit of a mandatory fuel surcharge
and the quest of related tax incentives as the highest priority
on their agenda.
Although the national average fuel price has eased down for a
brief period, diesel prices are once again beginning to creep
back up in many parts of the country. The effect of this volatility
has been severe on truckers. "More than 5,000 motor carriers
have failed and more than 200,000 trucks have been repossessed
in the last 15 months," says Todd Spencer, OOIDA executive
vice president.
OOIDA President Jim Johnston says, "Federal legislation
that guarantees truckers a fuel surcharge during periods of sudden
fuel price spikes must be part of the nation's energy policy."
"We have no illusions that correcting an energy situation
that has resulted from our shortage of production and our dependence
on foreign oil is going to be achieved quickly," says Johnston.
"The diesel fuel crisis experienced last year is still simmering
just under the surface and any disruption could very quickly result
in skyrocketing fuel prices again for truckers."
Last year, OOIDA fell just short of gaining passage of mandatory
fuel surcharge legislation. The Motor Carrier Fuel Cost Equity
Act (HR4441) sponsored by Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV) and Rep. Roy
Blunt (R-MO) passed the House with no objections, but Senate failed
to act on the bill in the final days before adjournment. OOIDA
is currently communicating with lawmakers to have the legislation
reintroduced.
"High fuel prices have been a problem for truckers since
the first oil crisis in 1973," Johnston continued. "The
inability of owner-operators to recover their basic costs was
a problem before deregulation, and continues to be a problem since
deregulation. This fuel surcharge legislation is necessary to
give small business truckers some measure of economic stability
in the face of market volatility."
Contact: Todd Spencer, Executive Vice President OOIDA
