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KIRKLAND, Wash. — Kenworth Truck Co. continued its push into the natural gas market, providing journalists and customers an opportunity earlier this month to test multiple models with engines that run on the fuel that’s garnering significant attention from the trucking industry.

New engine technologies and improved aerodynamics have yielded significant fuel efficiency gains for carriers running post-2010 heavy-duty trucks, but some fleet executives said they are encountering some new maintenance issues.

U.S. retail diesel and gasoline prices rose for the third straight week, taking back more of the substantial cost drops that dominated the second quarter of the year, the Department of Energy reported July 23.

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder declared an energy emergency in Michigan this week, due to shortages of diesel and gasoline in the state’s Upper Peninsula caused by a pipeline shutdown in Wisconsin.

Trillium CNG on Monday announced a joint venture to built fueling stations with a focus on the Interstate 65 and I-75 trucking corridors and major routes in Texas.

DHL Express said it is set to begin using 100 pickup and delivery vans fueled by propane autogas in five more states.

The first three trucking companies to report second-quarter earnings last week said a combination of lower fuel costs, higher rates and cost controls produced double-digit profit improvements.

The average retail price of diesel fuel increased for a second week, rising 1.2 cents a gallon, which oil analysts attributed to higher crude oil prices and record-breaking distillate exports from the United States.