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As the 1980s drew to a close, efforts to enact laws in each state permitting use of 53-foot trailers were gaining momentum and now the larger trailers are legal everywhere in the United States with the exception of the District of Columbia.

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.

Most major trailer manufacturers said they would expect to see an immediate surge of demand for 33-foot twin trailers, should the government approve their use for U.S. roads. They also said they would be ready to build the longer doubles as soon as fleets begin submitting orders.

Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) unveiled legislation July 10 that would increase minimum levels of insurance trucks must carry and called on the secretary of Transportation to mandate that truckers get paid for hours worked.

Rep. Tom Rice (R-S.C.) introduced legislation that would raise federal fuel taxes by 10.1 cents per gallon, and index the new rate to inflation as a way to ensure the long-term solvency of the Highway Trust Fund.

Consumer confidence in the United States eased last week from its highest level since the end of April, reflecting subdued views of the economy and buying climate.

Federal lawmakers should consider implementing a vehicle miles traveled pilot program nationwide as a way to boost dollars for infrastructure projects on a long-term basis, a Senate Finance Committee working group said in a report released July 8.

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