Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024:
Elected transpo superintendent stole diesel for his trucking business: Tennessee comptroller
Clay County (Tennessee) Highway Superintendent Jason Browning admitted to using department-purchased fuel in his Peterbilt 379 used as part of his own trucking business.Tennessee Comptroller's Office
An investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has resulted in the indictment of Jason Browning, the elected Clay County (Tennessee) Highway Superintendent.
Investigators determined that Browning misappropriated at least $56,971.60 (16,200 gallons) of department-purchased diesel fuel for his personal transportation business.
Browning admitted that he used an estimated 150 gallons of department fuel each week from July 2021 through July 2023, to fuel his personal 2007 Peterbilt 379. He used the truck as part of his private trucking business, Browning Trucking, the comptroller said. He sold the truck in July 2023.
Browning’s misappropriation resulted in the department operating on, and having in reserve, less fuel than believed by department employees, the comptroller’s office noted, adding that his actions put the department at risk of having insufficient fuel supplies in case of a natural disaster or large project.
Based on the investigation, Browning was indicted by the Clay County Grand Jury on one count of theft over $10,000 and three counts of official misconduct.
“The Clay County Highway Department should maintain inventory records documenting the receipt, usage and storage of fuel,” said Comptroller Jason Mumpower. “By reconciling the amount of fuel that is purchased to the amount that is used, the department can better detect any improper usage.”
[Related: Fuel payments providers boost theft protections amid card-skimming explosion]
HHG moving company employee gets prison time for scam
After being convicted on charges related to a fraudulent moving company scheme in late 2023, Andre Prince was sentenced by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York to 2 years in prison, 1 year of supervised release, forfeiture of $100,000 and a $100 special assessment.
Prince and co-defendant Kristy Mak were convicted on Dec. 11, 2023, of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
The Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General (OIG) said It was proven at trial that, between at least January 2017 and August 2020, Prince and Mak worked for a number of moving companies that operated under various names, including Great Moving USA, Green Movers, and New City Moves.
Prince, a member of the sales team and supervisee of Mak, lured customers to these movers by posting fake reviews online and directing sales associates to low-ball the costs of moving their household goods.
OIG added that after customers signed a contract and, in some cases, after movers loaded customers' belongings on trucks, the movers would spring new expenses on them. Customers could not reach sales associates about the new fees, and the drivers threatened to hold customers’ goods hostage unless they paid the additional fees.
As a result of the fraudulent scheme, Prince and Mak, along with others, wrongfully obtained more than $3 million from more than 800 victims.
FHWA seeking feedback on electric truck charging infrastructure needs
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is requesting public input on a request for information (RFI) regarding the charging technologies and infrastructure needs of medium- and heavy-duty battery-electric trucks.
This RFI seeks input in four areas to support medium and heavy-duty (MHD) battery-electric trucks, including:
- Unique EV charger and station needs
- Vehicle charging patterns
- MHD EV charger technology and standardization
- Workforce, supply chain, and manufacturing to support charging of MHD EVs
FHWA hopes to inform appropriate future federal government activities to support the development and deployment of EV chargers to support the anticipated needs of MHD EV original equipment manufacturers, fleet operators, drivers, charging station operators, and electric utilities, FHWA said. The agency also asked that comments address how to balance advances in technology with the need to expeditiously build out the national EV charging infrastructure, including support for MHD segments.
[Related: California operators frustrated with lack of EV truck incentives]
FHWA highlighted the diverse nature of the trucking sector, including vehicles engaged in on-demand operations with structured schedules, such as urban delivery trucks and tractor-trailers that cover longer distances.
“Shorter haul vehicles can often use centralized charging depots with the opportunity for lower power charging,” the RFI noted. “At the other end of the spectrum, long-haul and over-the-road applications, exemplified by heavy-duty trucks engaged in interstate freight transportation, may require ultra-fast charging capabilities to allow trucks to quickly get back on the road.”
FHWA added that because long-haul trucks operate continuously for extended periods, it’s necessary to have “strategically located charging stations along major transportation corridors to facilitate rapid turnaround times” or to “provide parking facilities with charging.”
[Related: Truckers to EPA: Send CARB 'back to the drawing board' for its ZEV truck purchase mandates]
“Developing a charging infrastructure ecosystem entails addressing this spectrum of use cases comprehensively, ensuring that solutions are scalable, adaptable, and aligned with the evolving needs of the transportation industry,” FHWA said.
The agency acknowledged that “hydrogen refueling can provide a zero-emission fuel option for commercial MHD vehicles,” but said this particular RFI is only seeking information on electric charging considerations.
FHWA will accept comments here through Nov. 12, noting that the questions/topic areas of inquiry listed here are of particular interest. Commenters are not required to address every question/area, and those listed are not intended to be a constraint on a commenter providing additional information relevant to MHD EV charging technologies and infrastructure needs.
[Related: EPA Phase 3 truck emissions rule destined to fail? Industry reactions pour in]
Sheetz opening two new truck-friendly locations
Sheetz will officially open two new stores featuring truck diesel lanes this month, the company announced Thursday.
Located in North Carolina and Virginia, each store will offer high-flow diesel fuel and diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) for commercial trucks, as well as a truck scale and free parking spaces available for overnight parking to truckers. The new store locations scheduled to open include:
- Salisbury, North Carolina: Located at 1215 Peeler Road at exit 71 off I-85, this new store will feature five truck diesel lanes.
- Middletown, Virginia: Located at 121 Confidence Lane at exit 302 off I-81, with nine truck diesel lanes.
Each new store opening will offer customers grand opening festivities including free self-serve coffee and soda for the entire grand opening day as well as multiple prizes awarded, including a grand prize giveaway of a $2,500 Sheetz gift card.
Customers attending the grand opening are encouraged to donate a non-perishable food item to benefit a local nonprofit (Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina for the Salisbury location and Blue Ridge Area Food Bank for the Middletown location). Those who donate will receive a Sheetz branded thermal bag, limit one per customer.
[Related: Survey says: Paid parking generally not utilized, resented by many truckers]
