EIA: Vehicles used more electricity than rail systems in 2023

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

Light-duty vehicles in the United States used more electricity than rail systems for the first time in 2023 amid rising sales of electric vehicles (EVs), according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

A new EIA analysis released Monday (May 20) shows electricity consumption by EVs rose to 7,596 gigawatt-hours in 2023, almost five times the consumption in 2018. Annual electricity consumption by railways has remained flat at about 7,000 gigawatt-hours over the past two decades.

Railways has been the largest electricity end-user in the transportation sector since 2003. Over that period, municipal railway systems or electrified passenger rail have had limited expansion.

EIA: Vehicles used more electricity than rail systems in 2023

Womack votes to continue progress on full-year funding; avoid government shutdown

Washington, DC—February 29, 2024…Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 7463, the Extension of Continuing Appropriations and Other Matters Act, 2024.

Congressman Womack said, "We've punted our fundamental duty of funding the government five months past the due date. I'm incredibly disappointed—America deserves better. Another CR is regrettably necessary to responsibly avoid a harmful government shutdown and protect hardworking Americans, veterans, and our troops. Important projects in Arkansas' Third, including the FMS mission in Fort Smith, depend on our progress. This move will keep us on track to pass full-year appropriations this month."

The continuing resolution extends FY23 funding for the following appropriations bills through March 8, 2024:

• Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies

• Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies

• Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies

The bill extends FY23 for the remaining eight bills through March 22, 2024

Womack has consistently advocated for solutions to fix the broken budget and appropriations process, which has failed the American people for too long. He co-chaired the Joint Select Committee on Budget and Appropriations Process Reform and introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to modernize and streamline current processes. Some of the reforms he supported would have helped prevent a budget and appropriations deadline crisis like we see today. Additionally, he called for moving to a biennial budget, ensuring realistic deadlines for Congress to complete its budget and appropriations work, and requiring a joint Budget Committee hearing on the Fiscal State of the Nation.

State of the State 2023: Trucking industry braces for easing demand, recession

by Jeff Della Rosa (JDellaRosa@nwabj.com)

The trucking industry overcame multiple challenges in 2022, including some surprises, as the industry shifted from the COVID-19 pandemic into something more normal. With 2022 in the rearview, 2023 brings uncertainty and rising recession risk.

Shannon Newton, president of the Arkansas Trucking Association, said 2023 is not expected to be as healthy financially as 2022, especially in the first half of 2023. She’s hopeful the softer demand will begin to return to more normal levels and leads to growth opportunities by the end of the year.

“There’s a healthy amount of uncertainty,” said Newton, noting the economic forecasters who are predicting a recession in 2023. “Whether it is deep or wide or short or long, I think the opinions vary. But I think the industry expects there to be a recession of some sort in the early part of 2023.”

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/01/state-of-the-state-2023-trucking-industry-braces-for-easing-demand-recession/