National Average Price for Regular Unleaded Current: $2.699; Month Ago: $2.400; Year Ago: $2.472. National Average Price for Diesel Current: $2.908; Month Ago: $2.640; Year Ago: $2.871

“The most recent EIA stock update gave something for both bulls and bears to cheer about,” said Stephen Brennock, an analyst at PVM Oil Associates Ltd. in London. “As has become the norm, the fly in the ointment for bulls is the march higher in U.S. crude production.” U.S. gasoline inventories dropped by 1.22 million barrels to 229.9 million last week, the EIA reported Wednesday. Crude output increased by 26,000 barrels a day to 9.53 million, expanding for a second week. Click Read More below for additional detail.

American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear issued the following statement about the California Air Resources Board’s new Clean Truck Partnership: “We’ve long advocated for a single, national standard that respects and preserves interstate commerce. However, the trucking industry shouldn’t be strong armed by the government into an agreement with such terms. “Our association represents motor carrier members – the paying customers who will inherit the costs of this agreement – and we will not roll over nor relinquish our right to litigate with any party when our interests are threatened. It is clear that America has lost its way when the government bullies the private sector to succumb to unachievable timelines, targets and technologies.”