Washington, DC – Bipartisan legislation introduced by Senator Herb Kohl, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, Maine Senator Susan Collins, and Ohio Senator Rob Portman would bring more efficiency to the trucking industry and help transport goods to consumers more safely and effectively.  The four joined together to introduce the Safe and Efficient Transportation Act (SETA) of 2011, which would allow states to increase the maximum weight for trucks driving on the Interstate System from the current 80,000 to 97,000 pounds.
 
The measure sets several stipulations for the increased weight.  The vehicles would have to be equipped with at an additional axle and set of brakes; accordingly, a six-axle truck with 97,000 pounds would have the same breaking capacity and weight distribution as a five-axle truck carrying 80,000 pounds.  The legislation would result in reduced emissions, fewer trucks on the road, and a decrease in fuel usage.  Most importantly, it leaves it up to state legislatures to determine if the weight increase would be allowed on the highways through that state.

“Businesses and consumers alike are concerned about high energy prices.  We must do everything we can to lessen the shock of $100-per-barrel oil and $4-per-gallon gas, and we must reduce our usage of and dependence on foreign oil,” said Kohl.  “This is a common sense bill that will save money for the American companies that make everyday products as well as the families that use them.  I’ve heard from businesses across the state that have told me that lowering their fuel costs will increase their competitiveness and free up the money they need to create more jobs.”

The American Trucking Association estimates that the trucking industry will haul 30 percent more tonnage in 2021 than it does today.  Without the weight increase, our economy will require 18 percent more trucks on the road by that time.  Under this legislation, the weight limit adjustment would safely reduce the number of trucks required to ship a given amount of goods.

This bill is endorsed by more than 120 groups and 170 companies including the American Forest & Paper Association, International Dairy Foods Association, Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association, National Association of Manufacturers, National Milk Producers Federation, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, and Wisconsin Paper Council. The bill is supported by companies employing Wisconsin residents including: Deere & Company, Del Monte Foods, Domtar, Flambeau River Paper, General Mills, Georgia Pacific, Green Bay Packaging, International Paper, Kraft Foods, MillerCoors, Millis Transfer, Nestle USA, New Page, Plum Creek, R.R. Donnelly, SC Johnson and Weyerhaeuser.