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Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski (D) is exploring ways to use a mileage tax and satellite technology to pay for roads, instead of a fuel tax, the Albany (Ore.) Democrat-Herald reported Saturday.

Southern California port officials and state environmental regulators continued pressing their campaign to reduce heavy-truck diesel emissions, approving several controversial measures during 2008 that some truckers said will lead to severe economic hardships.

Diesel engine maker Cummins Inc.’s emissions subsidiary will lay off about 100 workers at a Wisconsin plant, effective immediately, because of the slumping North American truck market, the company said.

U.S. fuel prices continued their steep three-month declines last week, even as the cartel of oil-producing nations announced a record cut in production in an attempt to lift global oil prices in 2009.

The California Air Resources Board has adopted two new rules requiring carriers to add expensive emission-control devices to their trucks and to use fuel-saving equipment endorsed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay program.

The world of trucking was turned upside down and shaken like a snow globe during 2008.

Consumer prices fell in November by a record 1.7%, led by steep declines in energy, the Labor Department said Tuesday.