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The Senate last week kicked off debate on an energy bill that includes a controversial cap-and-trade provision to limit carbon emissions, summoning four top Obama administration officials to testify before the committee that will craft the Senate version of climate change and energy policy legislation.

The European Union last week imposed tariffs on biodiesel imported from the United States to counter low prices it said were caused by subsidies, but a spokesman for the U.S. Trade Representative denied subsidies were the main reason for the growth of U.S. sales in Europe and that the United States would review the tariffs “closely.”

WASHINGTON — Debbie Hersman, President Obama’s choice to lead the National Transportation Safety Board, told a Senate committee that other transportation agencies should voluntarily adopt the board’s recommendations, and if they don’t, Congress should order them to.

Gregory Nadeau, a former official with the Maine Department of Transportation, was appointed deputy administrator of the Federal Highway Administration, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced July 1.

Diesel prices dipped slightly for the second week in a row but, according to truckers and analysts, have yet to reflect the full effect of falling crude oil prices, record diesel surpluses and one of the worst freight recessions in trucking history.

Trucking fleets continued to shed jobs for the 14th consecutive month in June as total U.S. unemployment rose, but experts said economic and freight indicators finally appear to be heading in the right direction.

Truck-related highway fatalities plummeted 12% in 2008 to 4,229, the lowest total since the federal government began keeping records, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said.

The price of goods imported to the United States jumped 3.2% in June, marking the fourth straight monthly increase, the Labor Department said Friday.

In normal financial times, banks usually turn down 95% of all loan requests. During today’s difficult times, banks are just not making loans — especially to new clients. So, what should you do: Give up, or go the route that can keep your business prospering and even growing?