Hearing on truck industry canceled Baldacci wants to let fuel price crisis stabilize before making changes

AUGUSTA – A public hearing scheduled to discuss changes in regulations concerning Maine’s trucking industry has been canceled.

The hearing was scheduled for 5 p.m. today at the Maine Department of Public Safety to hear comments on amendments to the Maine Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.

The meeting was canceled because the governor wanted to let the situation stabilize before setting any changes in motion.

“Maine’s trucking industry is under great pressure right now with diesel fuel prices reaching record highs,” Gov. John E. Baldacci said. “We need to make sure that the industry is stabilized before we start changing the rules on them. High diesel prices have created a crisis. Now is not the time to make these changes.”

Truckers gathering in Damariscotta on Saturday at a regional protest of high diesel fuel costs were opposed to the state’s removing the exemption for log haulers of the 100-mile, 600-hour rule, which places limitations on the number of hours log truck drivers may operate within a 100-mile radius.

“They [truckers] wanted implementation of that rule change put off,” said David Farmer of Baldacci’s office. “By canceling the public hearing, we made sure that the exemption wouldn’t stop.”

The state of Maine adopts Federal Motor Carrier Safety Rules through the state police Chapter 4 rule. The hearing would have considered current state exemptions to the federal rules.

George Chappell may be reached at gchappell@bangordailynews.net or 236-4598.