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An economist with lots of experience in freight transportation has some interesting things to say that directly challenge the railroad industry’s extensive advertising blitz apparently aimed at convincing Americans that their way is the green way.

A new economist’s report challenges claims that trains are more fuel efficient than trucks and questions whether hauling more freight by rail actually improves air quality.

The Energy Department last week announced grants totaling more than $187 million for projects to improve the fuel efficiency of heavy-duty trucks and passenger cars, including one aimed at producing a “SuperTruck” that boosts fuel economy by 50% by 2015.

The average price of a gallon of retail diesel fuel in the United States rose 8.2 cents a gallon last week to $2.879, the highest level in 14 months, according to the Department of Energy.

FedEx Corp. is expanding its air fleet in China because that country will lead a global rebound in air cargo traffic, Bloomberg reported.

Gasoline’s national average price jumped 14 cents in the past three weeks to $2.74 a gallon, according to the latest Lundberg Survey of fuel prices released Sunday.

A recall of batches of a Tylenol pain product has rekindled the long-simmering marketing battle between purveyors of competing versions of one of trucking’s most ubiquitous tools: the lowly pallet.

The biodiesel industry was at a virtual standstill last week, despite an assurance by two Senate leaders they will introduce legislation “as soon as possible” to reinstate the tax credit that expired on Dec. 31.