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A diesel fuel standard requiring a minimum amount of lubricating qualities, which was adopted Jan. 1 by several states, recently has spotlighted the need for lubricity. But industry officials said this standard was necessary several years ago.

A California Air Resources Board regulation limiting trucks to five minutes of idling time when they are not active was scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, but the agency did not anticipate strict enforcement of the regulation, its spokesman said.

House of Representatives Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) indicated that when Congress convenes in January he would seek funding for highway projects left out of the 2005 transportation spending bill, a congressional staff member said.

The California Air Resources Board voted Dec. 9 to require five engine manufacturers to upgrade emission reduction software in certain trucks that operate in the state by the end of April. The mandate replaces the voluntary plan instituted earlier this year.

The California Air Resources Board delayed action earlier this month on a request for a waiver from the federal Clean Air Act, a waiver that would allow the state to impose tougher emission rules..

Congress did not pass legislation authorizing new multi-year transportation spending before it adjourned last week, so the 109th Congress will have to start over with the measure after it convenes in January, congressional committee staff members said.

Many states that use ASTM International guidelines have decided to delay implementation of a ruling that would require, effective Jan. 1, a minimum amount of lubricating qualities in diesel fuel, industry officials said.

Industry experts said the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s recent assessment of airborne particulate matter could support the tightening of ambient air particulate-matter standards when the agency reviews those standards later this year.

The Federal Aviation Administration will develop a plan by Dec. 31 to speed investigations and encourage air carriers to voluntarily report hazardous materials violations, in the wake of a recent report by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s inspector general criticizing the agency’s monitoring of hazardous materials, an FAA spokeswoman said..

A California Air Resources Board regulation scheduled to take effect Dec. 10 would require diesel-fueled transport refrigeration units operating in that state to meet certain emission requirements by 2008.