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Ethanol is Affecting Crude Sales

Friday, July 9th, 2010

Back in March!  According to checkbiotech.org, Ethanol is actually affecting crude sales.  In an article called, “Ethanol set to bite into crude sales” by Tamsin Carlisl, he writes about the fact that there is

“an eight-fold increase in US ethanol consumption since 2000.”

This affects the monopoly of oil and their prices will probably not go up, due to this up and coming new market of energy.  This is a first in a long time and is exciting to watch.

There are some that worry about the world food supply diminishing, due to usage of corn, soybean, and sugar cane for fuel.  And there are others that are excited about a supplementary resource to curve our appetite for oil.  Either way, it can’t be denied that bio-fuels are here to stay.

Here in the United States, the Midwest sells more biodiesel than anywhere else in the country because of the large quantity of soybean farms in the area.  In fact, Minnesota has a law that states all diesel must be blended with biodiesel to be sold in the state.

What this means to trucking, is huge!  Even Willie Nelson is getting involved.  He has a biodiesel he calls BioWillie.  And BioWillie is only one brand of biofuel.  According to the article “Willie Nelson brings biofuel to the red states”, there are hundreds of biodiesel companies out there.   Bio Willie is sold at 22 truck stops and is created out of soybean.

It will be interesting to watch this next couple of years, don’t you think?

http://bioenergy.checkbiotech.org/news/ethanol_set_bite_crude_sales

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article3500954.ece

http://www.truckdriversnews.com/willie-nelson-brings-biofuel-to-the-red-states/

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Posted in Bio Diesel, Truck Driving Schools, Trucking | No Comments »

Sleep Apnea Risk and Truck Drivers

Thursday, June 24th, 2010

Last fall, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced it would like the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to start a program helping to identify truck drivers that may by at risk for obstructive sleep apnea.

Some steps requested include the following:

  • If truck drivers diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea cannot prove by documentation that they have been treated of such, FMCSA could deny medical certification.
  • FMCSA would hand out information and guidelines to help the truck drivers, trucking companies, and their medical doctors recognize high-risk candidates.
  • I was surprised at the statistics that truck drivers have a 50% statistic of sleep apnea in those who have average body mass index of 40.0 or more; 35.0 and over considered obese.

In fact, a study commissioned by the FMSCA found that 17.6 percent of truckers studied suffered from mild sleep apnea while 5.8 percent had moderate sleep apnea and 4.7 percent had severe conditions.

In reading the letter, it shows there is only one accident mentioned, due to sleep apnea.  The driver ran into a highway patrol officer, killing him instantly.  Though this is a very sad story, one must ask them self if it is enough documentation to hold back a truck driver’s medical certification because he may be at risk.

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Posted in CDL jobs, Truck Driving Schools, Truck School, Trucking | No Comments »

Truck Driving Classes Available

Thursday, April 15th, 2010

A major trucking company is looking for people who want to become a truck driver to go to school, then for them.  CR England has a driving school and they are inviting candidates to apply.  Once certified, the drivers are automatically employed with CR England.

This refrigerated carrier is the biggest in the US and is over 90 years old.  Their school trains their drivers in the most updated rigs that you would be driving as an employee.  In fact, they are never older than three years.  They have three schools to choose from across the country.  One in Indiana, One in Utah, and one in Southern California.  All three schools use the same “best in the industry “ curriculum for you to use as a driver.  Since you would be driving for their company, their classroom and over the road training, guarantees that the driver is completely ready to safely drive.

For the applicants, they receive transportation and living quarters during the duration of the courses.  Students only have to pay for their meals while at the school and they have a restaurant just below the hotel.

The course is only 17 days and then you are a certified truck driver.  Then you get the on-the-road training with a top of the line trainer for 90 days, and at that point you start to get paid.  After that, you are a full CE England Driver with a career on its way.

If you are interested, call them at 1-800-421-9004 or go to http://crengland.com/truckdrivingschools/index.jsp and apply online

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Posted in Jobs, Truck School, Trucking, cdl training, trucking schools | No Comments »

B5 Bio-diesel Fuel Spreading

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010

It looks like Iowa is now on the B5 Bio Diesel bandwagon.  Last year, legislation was created for what they call the “Iowa Biodiesel Fuel Quality Standard (SF464)”.  And on February 4th of this year, the House Ways and Means Subcommittee voted in the advancement of the bill so that it can move into the full committee.  If it is passed by the House that would mean that the state of Iowa’s fuel will be 5% biodiesel.

This is amazing technology coming to use for making a huge step in becoming more independent from foreign oil.  There are some people and groups with concerns about using biodiesel.  The Iowans For Consumer Fuel Choice is concerned that the mandate will create monopoly.  Dawn Carlson, their spokesperson stated,

“Mandating renewable fuel will create upside-down economics, eliminate the checks and balances of fair competition and increase fuel costs for Iowans.”

Balancing the Pros and Cons of such a mandate is something the Iowa House will have to review.  It would be wonderful if they can make everyone happy.  But, this isn’t usually the case.  The article stated that Truck Drivers and Fuel Retailer are also against the mandate, but does not state why.  Probably for the price of fuel going by having the mixture of bio and fuel together.

Who is next?  What other states will try to mandate B5Bio Diesel?  I for one will keep an eye on this story.

http://mobile.wallacesfarmer.com/index.aspx?ascxid=cmsNewsStory&rmid=0&rascxid=&args=&rargs=9&dt=634010149784981250&lid=a8yebu2d9qxnz7lo&adms=634010149783575000X741151ffa9&cmsSid=35268&cmsScid=9

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Top 10 Trucker Oldies To Get You Ready For Truck Driving School

Tuesday, September 15th, 2009

So you’ve made the right decision and your headed to truck driving school…

This is a quick list of different truck driving related songs that will get you ready for your new career. When your out on the open road, a little music will help you enjoy the highway. This list contains many different types of music but all the songs listed here may be on the radio in someones rig while your reading this.

Here is a list of tracks that truckers have been listening to at work for decades. Some of these track may not seem familiar to you now but after a little time listing to the radio and you’ll be singing on.

1. Truckin- by the Grateful Dead
2. Movin’ On- by Merle Haggard and the Strangers
3. Roll On (Eighteen Wheeler)- by Alabama
4. Widow Maker- Jimmy Martin
5. Six Days on the Road- Dave Dudley
6. Convoy- C.W. McCall
7. White Line Fever- Merle Haggard and the Strangers
8. Teddy Bear- Red Sovine
9. Truck Driving Queen- Moore & Napier
10. Overloaded Diesel- Jimmy Griggs
11. Truck Drivin’ Man- Jimmy Martin
12. Passing Zone Blues- Coleman Wilson

This list of tracks that millions of miles have been driven by. Give them a listen and you’ll be hooked.

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