National Average Price for Regular Unleaded Current: $2.166; Month Ago: $2.193; Year Ago: $2.628. National Average Price for Diesel Current: $2.377; Month Ago: $2.401; Year Ago: $2.996.

Congress recently adjourned for its annual August recess following a productive July session that was punctuated by a number of significant wins for our industry. These victories would not have been possible without ATA’s repeated engagements with Capitol Hill. ATA experts are in regular contact with congressional leaders and staff to educate them on the trucking industry and effective policies that can best support fleets and drivers. *Improvements to young driver apprenticeship program advanced. *Base access provision included in NDAA. *House moved bill to overturn California’s destructive mandates. *Resolution opposing NYC congestion pricing breaks partisan gridlock. *ATA presses provision to protect independent contractor model. *ATA renews push to repeal FET.

Oil prices fell for a fourth session on Wednesday after the U.S. government reported an unexpected increase in crude and gasoline stockpiles, but an increase in refining runs and a drawdown in distillates helped prices bounce off session lows. Prices also remained under pressure from this week's International Energy Agency (IEA) outlook for slower growth in global crude demand. While the crude build of 1.9 million barrels reported by the Energy Information Administration was more than forecast, it was not as big as the increase of 6.5 million barrels reported on Tuesday by industry group the American Petroleum Institute. The EIA data encouraged buying at session lows. Click Read More below for additional information.