Fuel costs push truckers toward brink (Maine)

[jpak]

http://www.bangordailynews.com/news/t/news.aspx?articleid=156675&zoneid=500

LINCOLN - Record diesel prices that reached $3.65 per gallon Saturday are pushing logging truckers into a state of emergency that could imperil Maine’s entire forestry products industry.

State officials expressed fear Saturday that runaway fuel prices could force independent truckers — the forest product industry’s connective tissue, as they haul fiber to mills from the woods — to abruptly shut down, sparking a larger crisis within the industry and the state.

Gov. John Baldacci and other officials are investigating ways to help truckers stay on the roads over the winter, including temporary suspension of gas taxes and some hauling regulations and bulk fuel buying, said John M. Kerry, director of the state’s Office of Energy Independence and Security.

"The governor wants to take immediate action within his resources and his authority," Kerry said after a meeting of government and industry representatives Saturday. "He’s very concerned about people being able to meet their weekly budget and ongoing costs. Some people have stretched their credit, budget and cash reserves to the limit.

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...and I think of all the railroad lines torn up and abandoned in Maine over the last 30 years - that used to bring the wood to the mills...

[One_Life_To_Give]

1. Why no fuel surcharge?

I am surprised that these drivers are not renegotiating to add a fuel surcharge. Yes as a customer it' fine to benefit from a lack of forsight from your supplier. However putting the truckers into bankruptcy will only hurt themselves in the long run.

[xiamiam]

2. i have a friend who is an independent trucker.told me that all across america drivers are grumbling

about gas prices and that the general consensus is that they cant afford to keep going at this rate..the gas and the pay for the loads is not working for many of them..this is a very serious situation..