Win Free Tickets to Big Trucking Conference! (Serious enquiries only)

Win Free Tickets to Big Trucking Conference! (Serious enquiries only)
Posted: Sep 4, 2013 12:01 PM | Last Updated: Sep 5, 2013 07:25 AM

TORONTO — Back in the distant past, back in the days before twerking and selfies were part of anybody’s vocabulary, natural-gas and heavy-duty trucking were completely incompatible.

Not now.

Natural gas is a burgeoning part of the trucking industry; and it behooves fleets large and small to investigate how this new fuel can power their rigs into the future.

As any schooled industry leader will tell you, the companies that implement natural-gas strategies effectively have somewhere within their ranks a “natural gas champion:” i., e., the staff person who knows the most about the stuff.

Here’s the chance to make yourself that champion.

On Oct 1 and 2 at the RitzCarlton Hotel in downtown Toronto, the natural-gas industry leaders and innovators will be gathering at the Natural Gas Vehicle Infrastructure Canada Conference.

The two days are packed with top-drawer information. Attendees will learn about where natural gas is coming from; how much it’s going to cost and how to make it part of your fleet. You’ll get honest opinions on the costs, the downsides and the opportunities.

You can find out more by clicking here.

Better yet, because Todaystrucking.com wants our readers to be at the cutting edge of the industry, we’re offering free tickets to the conference (they retail at about $1,000 each) and we’re making it dead easy to win one.

All you have to is be one of the first to answer this no-brainer Natural Gas question: “Which Boucherville-QC-based fleet is among the Canadian natural-gas pioneers?”

Send your answers to Jason Rhyno at jason@newcom.ca. And please, serious enquiries only. We want these tickets going to people who will use them.

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Westport 15L Cancellation Takes Center Stage at Natural Gas Conference

Westport 15L Cancellation Takes Center Stage at Natural Gas Conference
By Today's Trucking Staff, Posted: Oct 2, 2013 12:40 AM | Last Updated: Oct 3, 2013 08:26 AM

TORONTO — Rumors that Westport Innovations was cancelling production of its 15L LNG engine were given wide exposure at the 1st Annual Natural Gas Vehicle Canada Conference yesterday.

During a presentation on Bison's recent foray into the natural gas-powered tractor market, Trevor Fridfinnson, senior vice president with Bison Transport, told the audience that when it comes to the need for NG technology to progress, "One particular development that may not be comfortable, depending on how it plays out, is Westport Innovations deciding not to supply engines any more, [and transferring] that responsibility and that skill over to the OEMs."

Bison's LNG tractors — Model 386 Peterbilts — are using the Westport 15L to pull their LCVs between Edmonton and Calgary.

"The biggest concern is that there is going to be a gap between that high upper-end piece [and smaller-displacement NG engines]," he said in answer to an audience question regarding the 15L disappearing from the market, "but there may be people at this conference that have more perspective."

Like Westport.

So far, however, the company has been mum on the issue, and has denied the rumor. Transport Routier editor Steve Bouchard and Today's Trucking associate editor Jason Rhyno contacted Westport two weeks ago regarding the rumors.

During that interview, Nicole Adams, director of communications at Westport Innovations, denied that the company was halting production of its 15L LNG engine. "It’s the first time that we've heard the rumor," she said to Today’s Trucking and Transport Routier. “We will produce the 15L as long as there will be a demand for it."

However, subsequent conversations between Today's Trucking editors and industry insiders who wished to remain off the record, confirmed the rumor.

During the interview, Adams confirmed that Westport will share its HPDI (high-pressure direct injection) technology with some vertically integrated engine OEMs.

"Ultimately, I think that's the direction we'd like to go," she said when asked about vertically integrating with the OEMs, "but at the moment, we're still assembling them [15L LNG engines] at our facility in Vancouver."

Pressed further on the root of the rumor, Adams said "We have so much on the go right now, that it's confusing for people with the 12L and the development program with Volvo."

Transport Robert's Engineering Manager Yves Maurais also touched upon the issue during his presentation. "We're looking for other products from OEMs, and now hopefully with Westport working closer with OEMs maybe we'll see some new products offered. But what's going to happen in the gap is yet to be seen."

What was certain today, however, is that the Canadian trucking industry — both carriers and suppliers alike — is not confused about the cancellation. "Oh, yeah, that's old news," commented one attendee to Today's Trucking.

Still, for early LNG adopters like Bison, "It's certainly a concern that was not necessarily anticipated," summed up Fridfinnson.

Westport was contacted again in light of today's events, but has yet to respond.

More as it develops.

View the original article here

Press Conference for New York State Rest Area Closing

A press conference has been scheduled by NY state Senator James Seward for Wednesday November 17th at 10 AM at the Worcester Rest Area:
Located on I-88 between exits 18 and 19 (Ostego County) in order to discuss the seriousness of closing 6 New York state rest areas.
Senator Seward is a strong supporter of Jason’s Law and is in firm opposition of the NYSDOT decision to close these rest areas as a means to save state funds, an estimated 1 million dollars for all 6.
As of Nov 1st, 2010, two of the six  rest areas have already been closed.

Brewerton/Hastings: Located on I-81 between exits 31 and 32 (Oswego County)Schodack: Located on I-90 between exits 11 and 12 (Albany Count

Last month there was a protest at the Schodack rest area led by NY state resident Hope Rivenburg, widow of slain trucker Jason Rivenburg.  Also attending last months protest was Paul Tonko, NY state Congressman who was responsible for introducing “Jason’s Law” HR 2156 to the House in April of 2009.
Ironically, the bill which Tonko introduced is to secure more safe truck parking. New York state is a state that suffers from the shortage of available truck parking which is now becoming a serious concern for motorists also, who are forced to share the roads with these weary truckers searching for a spot to rest.  Public highway safety must now be addressed as more and more states are closing their rest areas creating a greater risks for both truckers and the general public alike.

When speaking to Hope the other day, she expressed to us her concern for the many weary motorists, especially those with children, who often depend on these  rest areas while traveling long distances. Hope has been tirelessly  campaigning for the last year for the support of Jason’s Law, bills HR 2156 and S971, which she hopes will prevent another trucker from losing their life, as was the case for her late husband Jason Rivenburg who was murdered as he parked in an abandoned gas station to rest.

The Worcester rest area, where the conference is to be held, is scheduled to be closed on December 1st, 2010, along with 3 others.

Lewis: Located on I-87 between exits 31 and 32 (Essex County)Schroon Lake: Located on I-87 between exits 27 and 28 (Essex County)Worcester: Located on I-88 between exits 18 and 19 (Ostego County)Wells Bridge: Located on I-88 between exits 11 and 12 (Delaware County)

Hope Rivenburg and Charlie Clayburn, regional director for Truckers and Citizens United, will be attending the press conference along with assemblymen Marc Butler and Pete Lopez ( who also attended the protest last month)

Hope Rivenburg is  asking everyone, truckers and the general public alike, to please support the efforts of all involved by attending the event at the Worcester rest area on Wednesday.

© 2010, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.

: charlie clayburn, hope rivenburg, James Seward, Jason's law- H.R.2156 S971, NYSDOT, rest area closings, safe truck parking, worcester rest area

Tagged with: charlie clayburn • hope rivenburg • James Seward • Jason's law- H.R.2156 S971 • NYSDOT • rest area closings • safe truck parking • worcester rest area

Filed under: DOT • Politics • Safety • Truck Stops • Truckers Health

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