Maine passes bill to increase weight limits
To help fight the growing cost of diesel fuel, the Governor of Maine has signed LD 2155, Resolve, To Assist Maine’s Forest Products Industry. He signed it only a few hours after it passed in the House. The resolve allows for a temporary 5% increase in weight tolerances for trucks hauling forest products in Maine. The bill was also endorsed 13-0 by Maine's Transportation Committee.
“We know that our forest product industry and Maine’s truckers are being hurt by record high diesel prices,” Governor Baldacci said. “They are struggling right now; and they need help. With the quick action on this legislation, they’ll get some relief right now.”
Click here for the official press release from Maine.gov.
The Governor of Maine also announced that they would submit a new bill that would temporarily exempt truck drivers from the sales tax.
A similar measure in the state of Georgia could help breathe new life into the forest economy. If you have thoughts on this issue and what similar action we might take in Georgia, you are welcomed to leave them in the comments section.
posted by Alva H @ 9:44 AM
3 Comments
3 Comments:
A similar move in Georgia would breathe new life into the forest economy right now. The combination of low sawlog demand (from the poor lumber market) and higher costs, primarily diesel fuel, is taking its toll on Georgia loggers. If the loggers go, the manufacturing infrastructure will be doomed as well.
What could GFA do to develop an industry work plan that could gain some momentum for this over the coming year, particularly if it passes in Maine?
Diesel prices have gone from $2.40 per gallon when the legislature was last in session to $3.30 per gallon now. We've got to have some relief!
Thank you Steve for sharing your comments on how you believe the Maine iniative could benefit Georgia's forest economy. The Georgia Forestry Association will add this topic to our agenda for our Logging and Transportation meeitng scheduled for late February. We will keep you posted...and thank you for sharing you comments!
Florida Loggers are not afraid to ask their state government for help. I don't understand why this issue gets no traction in the State of Georgia. See the note below from Fl Forestry Association news:
Loggers call on Bronson for emergency help to rising fuel prices
Elevated diesel fuel prices, which have caused a spike in the cost of wood fiber production, are leaving many Florida loggers concerned about their livelihood. Logger leaders met in Tallahassee on Wednesday to formulate a plan of action to seek political relief that some say is the only thing that will keep them in business. “Emergency situations call for emergency solutions”, says Patsy Nathe, who heads up the Florida Loggers Committee. The plan calls for emergency action by Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson to seek a 95,000-pound weight extension so more products can be hauled with each gallon of fuel burned. Efforts will be made by the Association to get other agriculture groups to join this initiative.
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