U.S. Legislative Updates

OSHA Brochure on Distracted Driving

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has published an updated OSHA brochure to provide workers and employers with information on the risks of distracted driving. OSHA's revised brochure explains the dangers of texting while driving on the job and recommends steps for employers to keep workers safe. To order the brochure or any of OSHA's outreach materials, call OSHA's Office of Communications at 202-693-1999 or visit OSHA's Publications page.

Tax Extenders on the Congressional Agenda

Tax credits for fuels will be on the legislative agenda when Congress returns for the post-election lame duck session. In a September letter to the leadership of the U.S. House and Senate, NAFA urged Congress to support legislation to extend through 2013 the $1.00 per gallon tax credit for biodiesel and the $0.50 per gallon alternative fuel tax credit for natural gas and propane. "A decision by Congress on extending these important credits is needed quickly so that companies and government agencies can finalize their vehicle acquisitions for the current model year and project fuel costs for the coming year," NAFA said in a Sept. 19 letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) and other leaders.

 "These incentives expired on December 31, 2011, yet NAFA Members have been cautiously optimistic that Congress would reinstate the incentives. The uncertainty surrounding the incentives is now impacting vehicle purchase decisions and fuel planning by fleets throughout the country," NAFA said.

Senators Challenge Battery Program

The Obama administration’s advanced battery manufacturing program through the federal stimulus package cost $158,556 per job created, and many of those jobs likely were temporary, according to an analysis released by Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Sen. John Thune of South Dakota. The analysis came after Grassley pressed for verification of the administration’s claims of the economic benefits of the $2 billion program, which included a grant to a now-bankrupt company, A123 Systems. According to the analysis, the bankrupt company cost taxpayers more than $300,000 per job reportedly created by the stimulus bill.

 "The taxpayers paid $2 billion for a pretty lackluster return," Grassley said. "The Administration billed this program as an all-around success toward creating jobs, but the results are a lot more mixed. The program cost $158,556 per job, including jobs that were later cut. Under the best-case scenario at the now-bankrupt A123, it cost $317,435 per job. The expense is significant, especially when many of the jobs were temporary. The Administration should not overstate the value of this program as a boon to economic recovery. The facts show otherwise. Adding insult to injury, A123 executives reportedly are seeking to retain $4.2 million in bonuses through the bankruptcy process."