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The new director of the Missouri Department of Transportation on Jan. 26 continued his call to boost state transportation spending.

Trucking’s extensive experience with diesel-engine regulations could help mitigate any possible fallout against the industry in the wake of Volkswagen Group’s problems with the federal government concerning the automaker’s use of engine software that appears to have manipulated pollution controls.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said Volkswagen cheated on air-pollution rules for its diesel cars with a defeat device, reminiscent of 1998 when heavy-duty truck manufacturers were doing the same thing.

Trade groups representing independent repair shops and parts distributors and one for truck and engine makers said they reached an agreement that will give fleets, truck owners and independent repair shops nearly complete access to the manufacturers’ information, tools and parts needed for proper repair of heavy-duty on-highway commercial vehicles.

Fleets, independent  repair shops and  parts distributors – thanks to a new agreement between trade groups – will find themselves on a par with dealerships for the first time when it comes to repairing heavy-duty trucks.

Several environmental groups on Aug. 26 called on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to prohibit oil and gas firms from dumping hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” chemicals in ways that could prove harmful to the public and communities.

WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency will continue to emphasize the Obama administration’s campaign against climate change from carbon emissions, even if all aspects of useful technologies are not known at present.

The Obama administration is poised to deliver a victory to engine makers at the expense of truck manufacturers in the next stage of the U.S. government’s plan to tackle climate change.