RSI’s Transportation Insights

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Environmental Protection Agency employees are staying mum.  At least that’s what their bosses are telling them to do.  Specifically, those working in the EPA’s pollution enforcement department were advised by their superiors to not engage anyone from congress or even EPA inspectors who’ve been poking their noses into issues that are not only public knowledge, but have been hanging around for over a year. 
The Associated Press broke the story, citing eleven EPA managers were told via an email dated June 16th to keep silent as congressional investigators and reporters searched for answers.  The Los Angeles Times relayed the AP’s email as follows, “If you are contacted directly by the IG’s office or GAO requesting information of any kind . . . please do not respond to questions or make any statements,” (http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-epagag29-2008jul29,0,5854689.story).  Employees were directed to forward inquiries to upper management. 
The silent stance contradicts the department’s publicized policy, which maintains open communcation with the press, IG, and GAO.  Furthermore, EPA practices under the Bush administration have been criticized, specifically in regards to its non-action towards water pollution reports and denying a California claim concerning auto emissions. 
And congress is concerned.  The Time’s report stated, “Sen. Barbara Boxer, the California Democrat who heads the Senate environment committee, said Monday the administrator had turned the EPA into “a secretive, dangerous ally of polluters, instead of a leader in the effort to protect the health and safety of the American people.”
What has the EPA responeded with?  Not much….

RSI Insurance Brokers Gas Saving Tip of the Day:  Clean your air filter! Unclogging your vehicle’s air filter or replacing it altogether can improve a truck’s miles per gallon by as much as 10%.  
County:  San Bernardino
Date: July 28, 2008
Station: 76
Address:  799 West Baseline Street and H Street, San Bernardino
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.25
Date: July 28, 2008
Station: Arco
Address: 305 East Redlands Blvd. and Waterman Ave., San Bernardino
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.38
Date: July 28, 2008
Station: Arco
Address: 26526 Barton Road and California Street, Loma Linda 
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.65
(Gas prices found at www.sanbernardinogasprices.com)

County: Los Angeles
Date: July 28, 2008
Station: Thrifty
Address: 11454 Balboa Avenue and Rinaldi Street, Granada Hills
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.63
 

Date: July 28, 2008
Station: Thrifty
Address: 5038 El Segundo Blvd. and Ocean Gate Ave., Hawthorne
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.63
 

Date: July 28, 2008
Station: 76
Address:  Topanga Canyon Blvd & Burbank, Woodland Hills 
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.75
 
(Gas prices found at www.losangelesgasprices.com)

County:  Riverside

Date: July 28, 2008
Station: Shell
Address: 44260 Redhawk Parkway & CA-79 South, Temecula
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.49

Date: July 28, 2008
Station: 5 Point
Address: Barton Road and Bluff, Colton
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.67

Date: July 28, 2008
Station: Spirit
Address: 636 W Florida Ave & Tahquitz Ave., Hemet
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.75
 
 
(Gas prices found at www.riversidegasprices.com)

The Airman Inc. patent pending Airwedge is a fuel saving device that’s fitted just in front of a semi truck’s rear wheels and can reduce fuel costs by as much as 5%.  The contraption reduces drag, keeps brakes and tires cool - and saves major bucks at the pump.  The Airwedge can fit standard 53′ trailer designs.
 

County:  San Bernardino
Date: July 26, 2008
Station: 76
Address:  4350 Mills Circle and Mall Drive, Ontario
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.65

Date: July 26, 2008
Station: Arco
Address: 26526 Barton Road and California Street , Loma Linda
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.67

Date: July 26, 2008
Station: Arco
Address: 905 S Grove Avenue and East Mission Blvd. , Ontario
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.79

(Gas prices found at www.sanbernardinogasprices.com)
County: Los Angeles

Date: July 26, 2008
Station: Thrifty
Address: 11454 Balboa Avenue and Rinaldi Street, Granada Hills
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.63
 

Date: July 26, 2008
Station: 76
Address: 5601 Toganga Canyon Blvd. and Burbank Blvd. , Woodland Hills 
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.75
 

Date: July 26, 2008
Station: Arco
Address:  15700 Valley View Avenue and Alondra Blvd.., La Mirada
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.75
 
(Gas prices found at www.losangelesgasprices.com)

County:  Riverside
Date: July 26, 2008
Station: Shell
Address: 2718 South Iowa., Riverside
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.77
Date: July 26, 2008
Station: Arco
Address: 26925 Newport Road and Bradley Road, Menifee
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.78

Date: July 26, 2008
Station: Mobil
Address: 26825 Newport Road and Winter Hawk, Menifee
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.79
(Gas prices found at www.riversidegasprices.com)

RSI Insurance Brokers Gas Saving Tip of the Day:  Consider using a MaxxPower™ auxiliary power unit (APU), created by Navistar.  The APU can save truck drivers, fleet owners, and the like more than $7,000 a year in fuel costs as an alternative to idling.  
 

Gas Prices for the 21st of July, 2008

County:  San Bernardino
Date: July 21, 2008
Station: 76
Address:  1195 E Walnut St & S Grove Ave., Ontario, Loma Linda
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.83

Date: July 21, 2008
Station: Chevron
Address: 8777 Haven Ave & Jersey Blvd., Rancho Cucamonga
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.89

Date: July 21, 2008
Station: 76
Address: Redlands Blvd & Anderson St., Redlands
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.89
(Gas prices found at www.sanbernardinogasprices.com)
County: Los Angeles

Date: July 21, 2008
Station: 76
Address: 4856 W Slauson Ave & Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.59
County:  Los Angeles

Date: July 21, 2008
Station: Shell
Address: 4660 W Slauson Ave & La Brea Ave., Los Angeles
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.63
County:  Los Angeles

Date: July 21, 2008
Station: Chevron
Address:  7511 E Rosecrans Ave & Garfield Ave., Paramount
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.85
County: Los Angeles
(Gas prices found at www.losangelesgasprices.com)

County:  Riverside
Date: July 21, 2008
Station: Gas and Co.
Address: 8790 Mission Ave & Pedley Rd., Riversid-North
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.78
 

County:  Riverside
Date: July 21, 2008
Station: 5 Points
Address: 1221 Washington, Clton
County:  Riverside
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.79

Date: July 21, 2008
Station: GasMart
Address: 1005 West Florida Ave. & South Western Ave., Hemet
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.89
(Gas prices found at www.riversidegasprices.com)

As a country, can we really digest t more oil-related news? Perhaps if it’s positive. And fortunately for our systems, that’s just what the doctor ordered. Or in reality, the governing bodies that control foreign crude supply and demand. And the good news is…

On July 18th Adam Schreck of the Associated Press reported, light, sweet crude for August delivery fell 41 cents to settle at $128.88 a barrel.” (http://www.thetrucker.com/News/Stories/2008/7/18/Fridaycapscrudesbiggestone-weekdropinmorethan3years.aspx). How long has it been since the U.S. has seen such a significant drop in fuel prices?  Three long, long years of prices that have surpassed the five dollar mark (diesel) and regular fuel that has consistently hovered well above four dollars per gallon.

The snowball effect of positive news spread all the way to Wall Street where stock prices responded accordingly. As a nation, we’ve endured back to back to back record setting barrel prices that have hit consumers, businesses, and related industries across all levels.

Economists, strategists, and oil industry insiders and outsiders are all wondering if this recent drop in fuel prices is significant, and perhaps, the official bursting of the bubble.  Schreck obtained the following insite from Tom Kloza, publisher and chief oil analyst of the Oil Price Information Service in Wall, N.J. , “It’s too early to say we’ve seen the worst of it. We would be Pollyannish if we believe one week represents a trend.”

Whether or not this good news of “cheaper” gas is here to stay is unknown. One thing for certain though, good news or bad, gas headlines are sure to continue making the front page.

RSI Insurance Brokers Gas Saving Tip of the Day:  Proper tire inflation results in immediate fuel savings.  A tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) can do the work for you, sending an alert if tire pressure has dipped.   Also, consider lower rolling resistance tires which can improve fuel efficiency 1% for each 3% in improved rolling resistance.   
 
Gas Prices for the 17th of July, 2008
County:  San Bernardino
Date: July 17, 2008
Station: ARCO
Address:  26526 Barton Road & California Street., Loma Linda
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.95
Date: July 17, 2008
Station: Flying J
Address: 2611 Fisher Blvd. & High Point Parkway ,  Barstow
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.98
Date: July 17, 2008
Station: ARCO
Address: 3368 S Riverside Ave & Agua Mansa Road , Bloomington
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.99
(Gas prices found at www.sanbernardinogasprices.com)
County: Los Angeles
Date: July 17, 2008
Station: Shell
Address: 4660 W Slauson Ave & La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.65
County:  Los Angeles
Date: July 17, 2008
Station: 76
Address: 4856 West Slauson Avenue & Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles 
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.67
County:  Los Angeles
Date: July 14, 2008
Station: USC Fuel
Address:  35th & Grand Ave, Los Angeles
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.79 

County: Los Angeles
(Gas prices found at www.losangelesgasprices.com)
County:  Riverside
Date: July 17, 2008
Station: Circle K
Address: 78364 Highway 111, La Quinta
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.91
 
County:  Riverside
Date: July 17, 2008
Station: Royal Truck Stop
Address: 10306 Arlington Ave & Tyler Ave, Riverside-West

County:  Riverside
Date: July 17, 2008
Station: GasMart
Address: 1005 West Florida Ave & S Western Avenue, Hemet
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.95
(Gas prices found at www.riversidegasprices.com)

RSI Insurance Brokers Gas Saving Tip of the Day:  Consider an electronic stability program system such as Volvo’s that will automatically interpret the driver’s maneuvers and adjust in an appropriate way that is safe (it’s Volvo after all) and conserve fuel.

Gas Prices for the 14th of July, 2008 

County:  San Bernardino
Date: July 14, 2008
Station: 76
Address: 2413  Redlands Blvd & Anderson Street., Loma Linda
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.93

Date: July 14, 2008
Station: ARCO
Address:  3368 South Riverside Avenue and Agua,  Bloomington
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.99

Date: July 14, 2008
Station: ARCO
Address: 581 Mission Blvd. & Central, Montclair
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.99

(Gas prices found at www.sanbernardinogasprices.com)

County:  Los Angeles
Date: July 14, 2008
Station: Shell
Address: 4660 W. Slauson Ave. and La Brea, Los Angeles
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.69

County:  Los Angeles
Date: July 14, 2008
Station: 76
Address: 4856 West Slauson Avenue & Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles  
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.71

County:  Los Angeles
Date: July 14, 2008
Station: Auto USA
Address:   621 West Slauson Avenue and Fairfax, Los Angeles
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.95

County:  Riverside
Date: July 14, 2008
Station: Shell
Address: 4660 W. Slauson Ave. and La Brea, Los Angeles
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.73

(Gas prices found at www.losangelesgasprices.com)

County:  Riverside
Date: July 14, 2008
Station: Royal Truck Stop
Address: Steel Road and Hunts Lane, Colton
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.85

County:  Riverside
Date: July 14, 2008
Station: 76
Address: 39460 Murrieta Hot Springs Road, Murrieta
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.89

County:  Riverside
Date: July 14, 2008
Station: Gas n Go
Address: Mission and Pedley, Glen Avon
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.89
(Gas prices found at www.riversidegasprices.com)

There’s the Indianapolis 500, the Long Beach Grand Prix, the AMA Motocross Championship: All are great feats of focus, determination, and fearlessness.  However, it’s important to note that there are no written tests involved, or that safety promotion isn’t the point of the event.  The National Truck Driving Championships on the other hand require drivers to compete in eight classes of competition (written exams being one of them) in order to win the industry’s time honored title of champion truck driver. 

The event is put on by the American Trucking Association (ATA) and will be held at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, TX from Aug. 19 through Aug 23, 2008.
Before the championship event, each state holds its own competition from which a winner will move on to the national show.  Drivers operating trucks of all types (FedEx, long and 18-wheeler five axle sleepers to tank trucks and twin trailers) will be judged on the following: driving test, pre-trip inspection test, professional interview, and written exam.  Their driving courses are designed to recreate challenging conditions that drivers would also face on the road.  Any driver involved in an accident a year prior to the competition will be eligible. 
When did this test of brain and brawn start? According to Truckline.com, “The National Truck Driving Championships program has been conducted by American Trucking Associations, Inc., annually since 1937, with the exception of the period 1942-1945 during World War II.”   
First, second, and third place winners win $1,000, $500, and $250 respectfully in additional to recognition at the annual awards banquet. 

Want to know where to find diesel prices under $5.00 a gallon?  They’re here at RSI’s “Open Road Blog”.  If you’re traveling through San Bernardino, Los Angeles, or Riverside counties, here are the best (meaning least expensive) diesel prices you’ll find.  Check back each week as gas prices will be updated regularly.  We understand even a few cents saved makes for an easier drive – and a little peace of mind. 

County:  San Bernardino
Date: July 10, 2008
Station: ARCO
Address: 26526 Barton Road and California Street, Loma Linda
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.83

Date: July 10, 2008
Station: 76
Address:  24913 Redlands Blvd. and Anderson St., Loma Linda
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.87

Date: July 10, 2008
Station: ARCO
Address: 3368 South Riverside Ave. and Aqua Mansa Road, Bloomington
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.99

(Gas prices found at wwwsanbernardinogasprices.com)

County:  Los Angeles
Date: July 10, 2008
Station: Shell
Address: 4660 W. Slauson Ave. and La Brea, Los Angeles
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.73

County:  Los Angeles
Date: July 10, 2008
Station: 76
Address: 4856 West Slauson Avenue & Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles  
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.73

County:  Los Angeles
Date: July 10, 2008
Station: USC Fuel
Address:   35th and Grand Avenue, Los Angeles
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.77

County:  Riverside
Date: July 10, 2008
Station: Shell
Address: 4660 W. Slauson Ave. and La Brea, Los Angeles
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.73

(Gas prices found at www.losangelesgasprices.com)

County:  Riverside
Date: July 10, 2008
Station: Spirit
Address: 25760 New Chicago Avenue and Florida Ave, Hemet
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.89

County:  Riverside
Date: July 10, 2008
Station: Valero 
Address: 401 West Sixth and Shendan, Corona
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.91

County:  Riverside
Date: July 10, 2008
Station: Arco
Address: 23261 Cajalco Expressway and Harvill, Perris
Price of Diesel Fuel: $4.95
(Gas prices found at www.riversidegasprices.com)
 

The cost to clean your car  = $13.00.  A solid detail job?  Try $100.00.  How about 300 heavy duty “clean” trucks?  Oh - say about $35 million!  That’s what the Port of Long Beach is going to pay as par of its Clean Trucks Program.  But what clean means to one of these trucks is different than even a good wax job.

Allen P. Roberts of the Los Angeles Business Journal Online grabbed the following quote from the port’s executive director, Richard Steinke who said, “We want to bring as many clean trucks to Long Beach as soon as we can, and especially replacements for the 1988 and older trucks that will not be allowed to work here beginning October 1,” (http://www.labusinessjournal.com/article.asp?aID=72918751.8662991.1651117.3678197.3763805.248&aID2=127000.) 

The Clean Trucks Program was voted through last March and has the support of Los Angeles mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa.  The purpose is to take as many as 16,000 quote on quote “dirty” diesel trucks off the road in an effort to reduce CO2 emissions by 80 percent.  According to the Los Angeles Business Journal, “dirty” is qualified as any truck made prior to 1989. 

The multi-billion dollar program also include a $35 per container tariff that places “a $35 charge on every loaded twenty-foot equivalent (TEU) cargo container entering or leaving the ports of Long Beach or Los Angeles cargo terminals by short-haul (drayage) trucks.” (International Trade Today.) 

These new clean trucks will be powered by natural gas while others will burn clean diesel.  And with the $35 million dollar price tag - free washes for life?