Insights - February 2016 - (Page 10)

to the American Trucking Associations. This followed a decrease of 0.9 percent during November. In December, the index equaled 135.6, based on ATA's convention of 2000 = 100, up from 134.3 in November, and 0.2 percent below the all-time high of 135.8 reached in January 2015. Compared with December 2014, the seasonally adjusted index increased 1.1 percent, which was better than November's 0.2 percent year-over-year gain. For all of 2015, compared with 2014, tonnage was up 2.6 percent. The not seasonally adjusted index, which represents the change in tonnage actually hauled by the fleets before any seasonal adjustment, equaled 132.7 in December, which was 2.9 percent above the previous month's 129.0. "Tonnage ended 2015 on a strong note," said Bob Costello, ATA chief economist, "but it was not strong for the year as a whole. With year-over- year gains averaging just 1.2 percent over the last four months [of 2015], there was a clear deceleration in truck tonnage." Costello added, "At the expense of sounding like a broken record, I remain concerned about the high level of inventories throughout the supply chain. The total business inventoryto-sales record is at the highest level in over a decade, excluding the Great Recession period. This will have a negative impact on truck freight volumes over the next few months at least. And, this inventory cycle is overriding any strength from consumer spending and housing at the moment." Sustainability News Biodiesel Incentive Retroactively Extended With passage of H.R. 2029, a taxpayer that delivers pure, unblended biodiesel (B100) into the tank of a vehicle or uses B100 as an on-road fuel in their trade or business may be eligible for an incentive in the amount of $1.00 per gallon of biodiesel, agri-biodiesel, or renewable diesel, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. If the biodiesel was sold at retail, only the person that sold the fuel and placed it into the tank of the vehicle is eligible for the tax credit. The incentive is allowed as a credit against the taxpayer's income tax liability. Claims must include a copy of the certificate from the registered biodiesel producer or importer that: identifies the product; specifies the product's biodiesel, agri-biodiesel, and/or renewable diesel content; confirms that the product is properly registered as a fuel with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; and confirms that the product meets the requirements of ASTM specification D6751. This tax credit is applicable to fuel delivered between Jan. 1, 2005, and Sustainability - continued on page 12 10 Intermodal Insights | February 2016 http://www.IMCCompanies.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Insights - February 2016

Insights - February 2016
FMCSA Proposes Fitness Revisions
IANA Announces Expanded Sponsorship Package
IANA’s Chair Discusses Association’s 2016 Priorities
Container Weight Verification a 2016 Reality
Freight Reports
Sustainability News
Caution Urged on California Driver Reclassification
Port News
In Brief
People in the News
Welcome New Members
Intermodal Calendar

Insights - February 2016