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WASHINGTON — The Democratic chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, in a speech to American Trucking Associations’ winter meeting here, delivered a scathing criticism of the Bush administration’s handling of transportation issues as he backed the report of a congressional commission that called for major federal spending on infrastructure funded by fuel-tax increases.

Maine Gov. John Baldacci (D) signed a bill to temporarily allow trucks hauling forest products to exceed state weight limits by 5% in hopes of helping them offset high fuel prices, the Associated Press reported.

The Environmental Protection Agency has completed its draft of new regulations to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions from cars and trucks, Bloomberg reported.

The commission charged with examining the future of the national transportation system is set to recommend a significant increase in federal fuel taxes to Congress, according to wire service reports and other sources.

Polar Air Cargo Worldwide said Wednesday it will begin service to Japan, from Chicago, starting Feb. 21.

The average price of diesel fuel rose 3.7 cents to $3.345 a gallon last week while the price of crude oil pushed past $100 a barrel for the first time, which analysts said would soon lead to higher fuel prices.

The op-ed by the California Air Resource Board’s enforcement division chief, James Ryden, about the new refrigerated carrier rules is as expected with CARB: “Ready, FIRE, aim!”

Regarding your op-ed, “Dealing with California’s Reefer Rules," American Trucking Associations commends the efforts of the California Air Resources Board to conduct national outreach for the first time on its state regulation that will affect the nation’s refrigerated carriers.

European truck makers would have to cut urban air pollution in the European Union as much as 80% under new draft EU rules that would move Europe closer to U.S. standards, Bloomberg reported Friday.