🚗 Emission Mandate Milestone
Good morning! Welcome to the latest edition of "The Workday Dash," your go-to source for all things supply chain and logistics. As we gear up for the holiday season and the hustle and bustle of Black Friday fade into memory, we find ourselves on the cusp of a day that brings a different kind of hustle—one driven by generosity and compassion. November 28th marks the National Day of Giving, a time when individuals and organizations come together to make a positive impact on the world.
So, let's dive into the heartwarming world of supply chain giving and celebrate the spirit of generosity that fuels our industry. 👏❤️
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USDOT State Emission-Reduction Mandate in Line with Biden's Climate Goals
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), under the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), has issued a final rule mandating that states establish emission-reduction objectives and submit them by February 1. This directive aligns with President Biden's ambitious plan to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 50% within seven years.
To facilitate this, FHWA has integrated greenhouse gas emissions performance management metrics into its national performance measures, providing states with a structured framework for monitoring their emission-reduction efforts and guiding their investments. State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) are now required to define emission-reduction targets for both the short-term (two years) and mid-term (four years) and relay this information to FHWA by the February 1 deadline. Additionally, they will be expected to include further emission-reduction targets in their state biennial reports in 2024 and 2026.
Check out today’s featured article from TT News to learn more about the new USDOT mandates for emission-performance metrics. Will this change the way the Department of Transportation goes about things?
Featured Article
USDOT Orders States to Create Emission-Performance Metrics | TT News
“Targets Must Be Reported to FHWA by Feb. 1.”
UAW & Labor Deal
Challenges and Opportunities Amidst Ratified Auto Labor Agreements
Labor agreements between the United Auto Workers (UAW) union and major automakers like GM, Stellantis, and Ford have been ratified, but challenges in auto supply chains persist. With contracts in place, the Detroit 3 automakers are expected to increase production to make up for lost time, which will put pressure on suppliers to catch up. Some suppliers are running extra shifts, while others are extending payment terms, requiring vigilance to ensure timely payments. Managing customer contracts to understand rights and obligations is essential. However, preparing for such disruptions is challenging in a high-volume industry like automotive.
Additionally, attracting and retaining workers remains a concern, and non-union employees may seek higher wages following the UAW's successful negotiations. Geopolitical risks also loom large, with companies reconsidering global supply strategies to mitigate uncertainty, especially regarding China.
Biden & Small Business
Small Business Owners' Approval of President Biden Hits All-Time Low in CNBC Survey
Despite positive economic indicators such as significant GDP growth, a resilient labor market, and falling inflation and gas prices, President Joe Biden's approval among small business owners in the United States has reached a new low, according to the CNBC/SurveyMonkey Small Business Survey. The survey, conducted among over 2,000 small business owners in November, showed that Biden's net approval rating among this demographic is 30, down 13% from the first quarter of 2021. While the overall small business confidence has rebounded, concerns about inflation and interest rates persist, contributing to Biden's challenges in gaining support from small business owners.
Additionally, the views of small business owners are significantly influenced by political partisanship, with only 7% of Republicans having a positive view of Biden compared to 85% of Democrats. Independents remain closer to Republicans in their view of Biden, with only 26% expressing approval.
Let’s Get Global 🌎
Checking out the scoop outside of the United States…
💧 The Panama Canal's Journey from Cross-Fillings to Long-Term Solutions. The Panama Canal is facing water scarcity due to elevated temperatures and reduced rainfall, prompting the implementation of multiple strategies such as adjusting transit capacity, cross-filling, and optimizing schedules, resulting in up to 50% water savings. Nevertheless, the canal will gradually reduce daily transits to ensure water availability for human consumption and business continuity during the dry season.
🇨🇳 China's Slowing Economy Casts Shadow on Its Global Dominance Ambitions. China's aspirations for global economic dominance are facing hurdles as its economy experiences a slowdown, reflected in slowing industrial output, retail sales, and challenges in the real estate sector. Policy conflicts arise as China considers easing migration restrictions within provinces, while challenges in the manufacturing sector, rising wages, and the U.S.-China trade war also impact its position, although India may take decades to challenge China's dominance as a manufacturing rival.
🇪🇺 Lilium's Electric Jets Gain EU Approval for Flying Taxis. German air taxi company Lilium has received regulatory approval from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to design and manufacture its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles, marking a significant milestone in the eVTOL industry's path toward commercialization. Lilium plans to compete with aerospace giants like Boeing and Airbus, along with other startups, with commercial flights using its Lilium Jet by 2025.
iLevel With You 🏡
More topics for the average American household to consider…
🔋 Climate Activists Urge Cleaner EV Supply Chains at LA Auto Show. Protesters from climate advocacy groups Mighty Earth and Youth Climate Strike LA held demonstrations at the LA Auto Show to highlight environmental concerns in the electric vehicle (EV) sector. They targeted Hyundai for its coal-powered steel plants and alleged child labor in its supply chain, as well as criticized Toyota for its supply chain practices, urging both companies to embrace cleaner practices and EVs in line with the Paris Agreement's climate goals.
🚛 Schneider's Strategic EV Investment in California Provides A Competitive Advantage. Schneider's strategic investment in electric vehicles (EVs) and charging infrastructure in California, including a substantial charging station and a fleet of over 90 electric trucks, has significantly reduced emissions and positioned the company advantageously as older model trucks near end-of-life cycles. The company's proactive approach aligns with California's zero-emission regulations, potentially influencing nationwide trends in the trucking industry.
🚂 Georgia Case Involving Railroad's Eminent Domain Use Raises Property Law Questions. A hearing is underway to determine whether the Sandersville Railroad can legally use eminent domain to construct a 4.5-mile rail line serving a rock quarry and potentially other industries in rural Georgia. This case has the potential to set legal precedents in property law and has sparked debates on the definition of "public use" and the use of eminent domain powers.
Get Smart 🧠
Ramp up that brain power for these advanced topics…
🇺🇸 Biden's New Supply Chain Council to Unveil 30 Steps for Strengthening US Logistics. President Biden is convening the Supply Chain Resilience Council to introduce 30 measures aimed at improving access to essential medications, enhancing economic data access, and addressing supply chain issues that contributed to increased inflation during the post-pandemic recovery in 2021. These measures include allocating $35 million through the Defense Production Act for domestic production of materials used in injectable medicines essential for national security.
🤖 Amazon Introduces Titan, Its Latest Fulfillment Robot. Amazon is launching Titan, a mobile robot with a 2,500-pound load capacity, intended to enhance productivity and safety by automating tasks that pose injury risks to humans. Initially, Titan will handle larger and bulkier items, and Amazon envisions future roles, such as working with containerized storage solutions to transport inventory across storage floors and deliver it directly to employees.
🎁 Anticipating a Smooth 2023 Holiday Season in Logistics and Supply Chain. The 2023 holiday season is expected to be the most normal one since 2019, with improvements in logistics and supply chain issues. The resolution of the truck driver shortage, full staffing in warehouses, global supply chain problem resolutions, and lower fuel costs have contributed to a more positive outlook for this year's holiday season.
The Workday Dash is an aggregation of articles regarding the transportation logistics, trucking, and supply chain industries for November 22, 2024, from iLevel Logistics Inc.