ATA to Host Diesel Fuel Workshop June 19
The American Trucking Associations will host a Fuel Strategies Workshop June 19 to help the trucking industry cope with skyrocketing fuel prices. The organization says that while it is taking steps at the Federal level to reduce fuel prices, this workshop is designed to educate motor carriers about new technologies and operating practices that will help them conserve diesel fuel and implement cutting-edge diesel fuel purchasing strategies to reduce their fuel bill.
The one-day seminar, to be held at the Westin Arlington Gateway in Arlington, Va., will provide attendees with practical solutions from industry experts to help conserve fuel, operate more efficiently and ultimately reduce their fuel bills, ATA says. Fleet managers, fuel purchasers, economists, and policy professionals will provide an overview of technologies and techniques to reduce fuel consumption, fuel purchasing strategies, methods of accurately measuring fuel economy and costs and benefits of alternative fuels.
Among the featured speakers, Guy Caruso, administrator of the Energy Information Administration, will discuss EIA's energy outlook during a keynote luncheon address; Sara Banaszak, senior economist for the American Petroleum Institute will discuss the economic and geopolitical factors influencing crude oil and diesel prices; Steve Graham, vice president of Schneider National Inc. will teach attendees advanced fuel purchasing strategies and discuss how to properly hedge diesel fuel purchases; and Allen Schaefer, president of the Diesel Technology Forum, will lead a panel discussion on how the right truck and engine specifications can reduce fuel consumption. In addition, ATA First Vice Chairman Charles "Shorty" Whittington, president of Grammer Industries Inc., will speak about the economics of biodiesel and whether alternative fuels could help reduce fleet fueling costs. Others will present methods for reducing fuel costs by optimizing truck routes and strategies to conserve fuel by reducing speed and idling time, discussing trailer specifications and aerodynamic packages that decrease fuel consumption, and more.
The workshop comes as the trucking industry is experiencing the highest prolonged fuel prices in history. For some motor carriers, fuel is beginning to surpass labor as their largest expense, ATA says. For information and registration, visit www.truckline.com.