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Discusses several concerns on the susceptibility of hazardous material-carrying trucks to potential terrorist attacks in the U.S. Idea of adopting the Global Positioning Satellite technology to provide satellite tracking for propane-carrying trucks within the country; Move of the U.S. government to have all propane and hazardous materials drivers to be fingerprinted and undergo a background check; Call of representatives of the propane and hazardous materials trucking industries for a reasonable and responsible security-related regulations. INSET: FAST FACTS.

Presents news items on developments in the U.S. propane industry as of March 2003. Research grant awarded to Southwest Research Institute to study propane fuel system technologies; Reduction in the cost of annual registration fees paid by transporters of hazardous materials; Propane Education and Research Council's acquisition of the National Propane Gas Association's safety and training programs.

Reports on developments concerning the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and transportation industries. Plan of the United States Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to include onboard recorders as part of hours-of-service rules; Postponement of background checks and fingerprints for truck drivers who haul hazardous materials; Worthington Industries' acquisition of Western Industries Inc.

The article reports that the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has provided exemption to drivers of propane service or pipeline from hazardous materials regulations during emergency conditions. The final rule was published in the July 5, 2007 issue of the Federal Register and it relates that exemption rule is determinable on a case-by-case basis. Moreover, the new rule also increased the civil penalties for vehicles that violate the hazardous material transport regulation.

The article focuses on the amendment to the Transportation Security Administration Reorganization Act in the United States. According to the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA), the act threatens to duplicate and disrupt existing regulations and security efforts. The amendment was offered by Representative Edward J. Markey. Additional security requirements would be imposed for shipments of extremely hazardous materials including propane. With this move NPGA has joined 31 other industry and public safety associations that have assailed the legislation as duplicating the Department of Transportation's authority.

Focuses on the security measures in the shipments of hazardous materials. Criminal background checks for any truck driver who handles hazardous materials; Fingerprint requirements for hazardous materials endorsements; Government initiatives to mandate satellite-tracking systems on trucks hauling hazardous materials.

The article reports that the National Propane Gas Association is opposing an amendment to the 2007 United States Department of Homeland Security funding bill that would budget $50 million to implement satellite tracking of trucks carrying hazardous materials. The association is opposed to the bill, which was sponsored by Senator Charles Schumer, because of the industry's random normal delivery schedule and there is no single common thread among all delivery fleets.

The article reports that the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration withdrew a rule that would have established the requirement of fully draining the pipes used in loading and unloading after a pickup or delivery in the United States. The agency decided that the requirement would not produce the level of benefits it had anticipated. The agency will work with industry groups to increase awareness of the dangers of unprotected wetlines.

Reports that the American Trucking Associations is asking the federal government in 2005 to label some hazardous materials as 'security sensitive' for regulatory purposes in the U.S.

Reports on developments relevant to energy policies in the U.S. as of August 2005. Standards on the transportation of hazardous materials; Energy laws and legislation; Funding bill for the recruitment of members to the Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

Reports on the background screening of truck drivers involved in the transport of hazardous materials in the U.S. Certification requirements issued by the government to help prevent terrorism; Concerns about the conduct of background screening for security and terrorism protection.

Reports on the proposed bill for the integration of global-positioning systems on hazardous material trucks in California. Contentions regarding the practicality and feasibility of the law; Presentation of testimonies for and against the bill during a state's Senate Transportation Committed hearing; Number of votes received by the bill out of the 13-member committee.

Discusses the cause of the problems for transporting hazardous materials in the U.S. Increase in demand for the materials; Findings of a report from the Research and Special Programs Administration on accidents in transporting hazardous materials; Actions to be taken to make moving hazardous materials safer.

Presents updates on the propane industry in the U.S. as of August 2002. Senate committee approval of the rules on transporting hazardous materials; Implementation of the pipeline integrity rules by the Office of Pipeline Safety; Plan of the American Petroleum Institute to revise its Development of Public Awareness Programs by Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Operators.

Reports that the California Highway Patrol has issued guidelines directing its enforcement personnel to make immediate contact with all hazardous materials carriers and terminals to determine the risk they pose for a catastrophic event.

Discusses the need for improvement in the hazardous material transportation in the U.S. in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Risk management initiatives for industry changes; Importance for hazardous material carriers to learn from other companies; Efforts to adopt technology for hazardous material safety.

Presents political updates on the gas industry in the United States as of December 2000. Financial measures approved by the Congress to protect the environment from fuel spills; Policy changes made by the Department of Transportation for dealing with hazardous materials transportation; Examination by the National Transportation Safety Board on how pipeline safety can be improved.