Latest news with #ELP
Miami Herald
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
New DOT rule could worsen trucker shortage, cause delivery delays
The United States does not have enough truck drivers. A report from altLine, a factoring service, revealed recently that the country is short as many as 24,000 truckers. This comes at a huge cost. There are so many trucks sitting idle because of driver shortages that altLine reports the freight industry is losing an estimated $95.5 million every week. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter The lack of qualified drivers impacts not just trucking industry profits, but also consumers. It's a simple fact that when there are too few drivers, this leads to both delivery delays and higher freight costs, as a low supply and high demand inevitably drive up shipping prices. Related: Huge trucking company files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy 'The trucking shortage isn't an isolated labor issue; it's a national economic challenge. Billions in potential revenue are being lost in just the freight industry, and the consequences for businesses and consumers further down the chain are immeasurable but undeniably significant,' altLine reported. Now, the Department of Transportation has announced a new rule that's going into effect, which could potentially make the situation worse. New DOT rule could lead to worsening truck driver shortage On May 20, the Department of Transportation announced a new rule that could reduce the number of truckers available to fill all the vacant jobs. It could also reduce the number of truckers who are able to continue driving their current routes. A statement on the DOT website explained the new requirement, stating, 'Under the new guidance, commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers who fail to comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) longstanding English-language proficiency (ELP) requirements will be placed out-of-service.' Related: Another major trucking company files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Drivers who are placed out of service are no longer legally allowed to drive until they correct the issue - which means, in this case, being able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the English language. The DOT statement explained that the move had been made to put President Trump's April 2025 Executive Order into effect. That executive order directed the Department of Transportation to rescind guidance that was in place during the Obama administration and which relaxed the language fluency requirements for drivers. English proficiency requirements exist, but haven't been enforced The Trump Administration did not create the idea of English language requirements. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules governing truckers make clear that drivers who don't read or speak English well enough to understand highway traffic signs and signals are not qualified to be commercial motor vehicle operators. Related: Major trucking company files Chapter 11 bankruptcy However, in 2016, the Obama Administration instructed officials that drivers should not be prevented from driving if they fail to demonstrate the required language knowledge. It is this directive that the DOT is reversing, with the stated goal of improving safety. 'America First means safety first, said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. 'Americans are a lot safer on roads alongside truckers who can understand and interpret our traffic signs. This common-sense change ensures the penalty for failure to comply is more than a slap on the wrist.' Some professional groups support change The American Trucking Association, which had raised this issue as a point of concern in an April letter to the Secretary of Transportation, supports the change made by the Administration and issued a statement expressing gratitude. However, some opponents of the move question whether it will worsen the already-problematic trucker shortage, both by taking current drivers off the road and deterring some foreign-born drivers from trying to qualify for commercial driving positions. More Economic News: Tesla, Elon Musk make drastic decision amid U.S.-China trade warMajor U.S. automaker makes harsh decision in the wake of tariff tussleTariffs will devastate this entire industry An estimated 3.8% of the CDL workforce is reportedly limited in their English proficiency, according to an analysis of DOT data conducted by the Women of Trucking Advisory Board. FTR Intelligence also reported an estimated 15,200 English language proficiency violations in the two years prior to March. That's a significant number of workers. If thousands are put out of service and more potential drivers don't enter the profession, truckers could become even more scarce. With trucks carrying around 72% of freight in the U.S., this will inevitably have consequences, including more lost revenue and a greater likelihood of shipping delays as trucks sit idle. The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Sikh Coalition to US Secretary Transportation, if Sikh drivers declared ‘out of service' for English language proficiency violation, they have path back to career once they improve English abilities
BATHINDA: Sikh Coalition, Sikh civil rights organisation, has sent a letter to Sean Duffy, Secretary US Department of Transportation outlining concerns with an executive order by US President Donald Trump administration on April 28, 2025, 'Enforcing commonsense rules of the road for America' truck drivers', detailing new English language proficiency rules for truckers. In its letter Sikh Coalition has desired to ensure that roadside inspectors do not profile Sikh and Punjabi drivers as 'looking' like they don't speak English; When Sikh and Punjabi drivers are subjected to roadside interviews, Coalition want to ensure that the inspectors assessing their English language proficiency do so fairly and objectively; And if Sikh and Punjabi drivers are declared 'out of service' for an English language proficiency violation, Coalition want to ensure that they have legal recourse to appeal the decision and/or a path back to their career once they improve their English abilities. The executive order states that proficiency in English should be a non-negotiable safety requirement for professional drivers. They should be able to read and understand traffic signs, communicate with traffic safety, border patrol, agricultural checkpoints, and cargo weight-limit station officers. Drivers need to provide feedback to their employers and customers and receive related directions in English. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo The order directs the department of transportation to issue new guidance to the federal motor carrier safety administration (FMCSA) outlining revised inspection procedures for ensuring compliance with the federal regulation requiring English language proficiency (ELP) among truck drivers. Sikh Coalition, which was founded in the immediate aftermath of September 11, 2001, in response to a torrent of hate crimes, discrimination, profiling and bullying against Sikh community throughout the US. 'The Sikh Coalition is not opposed to common sense safety reforms—including the obvious fact that all truckers must have basic English language skills to drive safely in the United States. We are committed, however, to working to ensure that any new rules resulting from this order do not disproportionately or discriminatorily impact Sikh and Punjabi truckers', stated Sikh Coalition senior federal policy manager Mannirmal Kaur. For further context, President Trump's executive order overrides guidance put in place back in 2016. This guidance limited the ability of roadside inspectors to conduct English language proficiency interviews. It also disallowed roadside inspectors from declaring individual drivers 'out of service' for not being able to speak English sufficiently. The Department of Transportation is expected to roll out their new guidance by the end of June; we hope to engage them in a conversation about our concerns before then. In the meantime, we are working to update our trucker-specific 'Know Your Rights' resource to account for concerns related to this executive order and other policy changes, stated Coalition adding there are about 1.50 lakh Sikhs and Punjabis working in trucking industry, 90% of whom are drivers.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
‘You're Out': FMCSA Cracks Down on English Proficiency Rules for CDL Drivers
If you're running a fleet or managing drivers in 2025, you'd better speak up, literally. On Tuesday, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued new guidance that officially reawakens enforcement of the English Language Proficiency (ELP) rule found in 49 CFR § 391.11(b)(2). This time, there's real bite behind the bark: Starting June 25, drivers who can't pass a new two-part ELP roadside test could be placed out of service on the spot. This move follows Executive Order 14286 signed by President Donald Trump, titled 'Enforcing Commonsense Rules of the Road for America's Truck Drivers.' The order signals a broader push toward tightening up highway safety enforcement, and language comprehension is now squarely in the spotlight. The 2-Part Test According to the FMCSA, every roadside inspection must now begin in English. If a driver shows signs of struggling to understand instructions, the officer initiates a two-step ELP assessment:A verbal interview: No interpreters, no phone apps, no cue cards – just the driver and the officer speaking English. Drivers who cannot respond to official questions adequately fail. A highway sign recognition test: Drivers who pass the interview move on to identifying U.S. traffic signs, including dynamic message boards and MUTCD-standard signage. Drivers who fail either test may be cited and placed out of service immediately. The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance has already added ELP violations to the North American Standard OOS Criteria, effective June 25. Here's the Rub The public-facing policy memo is heavily redacted. The FMCSA hasn't disclosed which interview questions or signs inspectors will use, leaving carriers scrambling to prepare. Without knowing the standards, enforcing the rule could quickly become inconsistent or biased, or even be challenged in court. It's also triggered a broader debate within the industry about fairness, discrimination and due process, especially as enforcement ramps About Deaf and Mute Drivers? Here's where the conversation gets real. In a recent LinkedIn post, I shared my frustrations as someone who speaks fast and Southern and sometimes isn't understood by Siri or Alexa. I've also trained deaf and mute drivers. Yes, they exist and can legally hold a CDL under 49 CFR § 391.41(b)(11) with an exemption. 'I know drivers who can't write,' I recently posted on LinkedIn. 'I know deaf and mute drivers. I've trained them. So, how do we reconcile a blanket English-speaking rule with a legal framework that already accommodates non-English-speaking CDL holders?' That's the dilemma. Under FMCSA's guidance on CDL testing for hearing-impaired applicants, drivers who are deaf or hard of hearing may use alternative communication methods like sign language or written responses during licensing, but not at the roadside under this new enforcement memo. So what happens when a deaf driver, legally licensed with a waiver, gets pulled over? How does that officer handle a driver who cannot speak but has already been certified under the law? There's a real concern that blanket policies could conflict with disability protections under the ADA or FMCSA's waivers, putting fleets, officers and even the courts in tough legal territory. What Fleets Must Do NowRegardless of your stance, the enforcement is live, and fleets need a plan. Here's where smart carriers start: Update onboarding and qualification: Evaluate English comprehension as part of your road test, in-person interviews or orientation training. Document it. Reassess current drivers: If you suspect someone may struggle with ELP under the new standard, now's the time to coach or reevaluate roles. Plan for accommodations: If you employ drivers with hearing impairments or waivers, work with legal counsel and document that these drivers meet FMCSA exemption standards. Educate your team on how to handle these edge cases at scale. Invest in training tools: Use systems like Babbel, Duolingo, Jumpspeak, Rosetta Stone, Luma Brighter Learning, Smith System, National Safety Council or in-house driver coaching to reinforce English proficiency, road terminology and situational safety. Stay up to date: The redacted memo leaves room for evolving policies. Bookmark the FMCSA ELD & Safety page and monitor updates to ELP enforcement criteria. FMCSA's revived ELP enforcement is aimed at safety, not punishment, but it risks casting too wide a net. There's little doubt that drivers must understand signs and follow instructions on U.S. highways. But when policy lacks clarity, fairness becomes a moving target. For fleets, the mandate is clear: Validate English ability at the point of hire, support it through training, and protect compliant drivers, especially those operating under federally approved waivers. If 'speak English or park it' becomes the standard, we'd better know exactly what that means and who gets caught in the middle, because you can't learn English overnight at the roadside. The post 'You're Out': FMCSA Cracks Down on English Proficiency Rules for CDL Drivers appeared first on FreightWaves.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Is English proficiency enforcement the right focus for safer roads?
In a controversial return to past policy, the Trump administration and Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy have reestablished lack of English language proficiency (ELP) as an out-of-service (OOS) violation for commercial drivers. 'My Administration will enforce the law to protect the safety of American truckers, drivers, passengers, and others, including by upholding the safety enforcement regulations that ensure that anyone behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle is properly qualified and proficient in our national language, English,' said the executive order. The move reverses a 2016 decision by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and a 2014 vote by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), which had removed ELP from the list of OOS offenses due to a lack of evidence linking limited English skills to highway safety. The 2016 FMCSA decision provided enforcement officers with discretion, enabling them to assess the severity of the violation and determine the appropriate response. As a result, drivers with limited English proficiency could continue operating their vehicles, provided the violation did not pose an immediate safety risk. This policy aimed to balance regulatory compliance with practical considerations, especially in regions with significant populations of non-native English-speaking original removal was supported by studies from both the FMCSA and the National Transportation Safety Board, which failed to demonstrate a strong causal connection between English deficiencies and crash risk. Critics of the reinstatement argue that this new directive is more political than practical and risks diverting attention from more pressing safety issues on American highways. So, what does the data really say? And is language proficiency the right battle to fight if the goal is safer roads? According to a recent analysis by FTR Intelligence and data provided by Carrier Details, over the past two years, approximately 15,134 ELP violations have been recorded in the FMCSA's database, impacting an estimated 13,000 unique vehicles based on VIN data. Broken down by state license plates, trucks registered in Texas accounted for 16% of all violations. California followed with 9.8% of the total, and Illinois, New Jersey, and Florida each hovered around 7.5%. Interestingly, trucks with Mexican license plates represented only 3.4% of violations, though this figure is somewhat misleading. Carriers based in border towns like Laredo, Texas, home to the largest U.S. trucking port of entry, accounted for nearly 13% of all ELP violations. The top seven ELP-offending carriers were all based in Laredo, further highlighting the region's concentration of such patterns also showed inconsistencies across the country. Pennsylvania issued the most ELP citations, followed by Arizona, Tennessee, New York and Kansas. Federal border inspection ranked sixth, while Wyoming — the least populous state — surprisingly ranked eighth. Looking back further, ELP enforcement has seen a steep decline since the early 2010s. In 2013, inspectors cited approximately 83,000 ELP violations, 3,700 of which led to OOS orders. In 2014, the final year before CVSA dropped ELP as an OOS violation, over 100,000 violations were reported, with more than 3,900 of them resulting in OOS orders. However, by 2018 and 2019, inspectors were citing the ELP standard only about 9,000 times annually. That figure dropped further to about 7,500 citations by 2024. This decline likely resulted from the FMCSA's 2016 guidance, which allowed inspectors to accept alternative compliance aids such as cue cards, smartphone translation apps and interpreters, tools that may be discouraged or prohibited under the new directive. Approximately 40% of these ELP-violating carriers are intrastate operators, limiting the national freight market impact. Additionally, it remains unclear whether language barriers directly contributed to those crashes or if they are correlated with other factors such as poor compliance practices or lack of regulatory awareness. To understand what truly causes unsafe highways, one must look beyond language. The most recent FMCSA safety study identified the most common driver-related out-of-service violations. Hours-of-service (HOS) violations ranked highest, with fatigued driving remaining a critical issue. Drivers exceeding maximum drive time or failing to maintain accurate logs are frequently flagged. False logs and failure to maintain logs also continue to be significant safety and compliance problems, often tied to external pressures from carriers or shippers. Driver qualification issues, including expired CDLs, lapsed medical certifications or disqualified drivers operating commercial vehicles, are also prominent. Drug and alcohol violations, particularly post-accident or random testing results, reveal a troubling pattern of impaired driving. In the American Transportation Research Institute's (ATRI) 2022 Crash Predictor report, an analysis of over 583,005 drivers, the same unsafe-driving violations were found to yield high likelihoods of future crashes. Reckless driving violations top the list, increasing crash likelihood by 114%. Close behind are convictions for failure to signal or improper signaling, which raise crash risk by 89%, and a prior crash history, which correlates with an 88% higher chance of future incidents. Violations for failure to yield the right of way follow at 85%, while improper or erratic lane changes round out the list with a 79% increased likelihood of a future crash. These findings reinforce that high-risk driving behaviors, not peripheral compliance issues like English proficiency, are the most reliable indicators of future safety outcomes on the than pouring resources into ELP enforcement, the FMCSA and CVSA have been pushing several more impactful safety measures in recent years. One major initiative is the expansion of the Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse, which has become a powerful tool for identifying impaired drivers. In 2024 alone, over 62,000 violations were reported, most commonly for marijuana and cocaine use. The FMCSA has also focused heavily on electronic logging devices. The ongoing push for ELD compliance aims to address hours-of-service violations and reduce driver fatigue. The latest efforts ensure ELDs are tamper-proof and accurately maintained. While it's clear that English proficiency violations correlate with a higher crash rate, causation remains murky. Much of the concern from state inspectors and federal investigators centers on misunderstandings of regulatory requirements rather than driving ability itself. According to a NTSB report, 'Investigators stated that their major concern was that owners and operators with limited or no English language skills often violated regulations due to a lack of knowledge of the regulatory requirements. The investigators stated that a large part of their focus during compliance reviews of such carriers was educating them about regulatory requirements.' The same report noted that while carriers still had ELP concerns,'compliance rates were higher among carriers that had been in business for a longer time and had received prior interventions from the FMCSA or state enforcement personnel.' These logistical frustrations, while legitimate, are arguably better addressed through education, multilingual access services and supportive technology addressed in the 2016 precedent of the ELP out-of-service notice. By focusing too heavily on ELP, the FMCSA risks sidelining more impactful safety concerns. Revoking translation tools and issuing OOS orders to drivers without a proven link to crash risk may reduce trust in enforcement and create unnecessary operational hurdles. Reinstating English language proficiency as an out-of-service violation may satisfy calls for stricter compliance, but the data suggests it's a distraction from far more pressing safety challenges. The FMCSA and CVSA are tackling a full slate of safety issues, including impaired driving, falsified logs and outdated driver qualifications, each requiring consistent, nationwide enforcement. Compounding the challenge, the FMCSA reports that 94% of its 793,577 regulated carriers lack a safety rating, underscoring the urgent need to expand compliance reviews across the industry. The data appears to show that addressing language barriers, which are certainly relevant to some compliance scenarios, is less vital to enhancing highway safety than some other approaches. Articles by Grace Sharkey Cyberthreats surge against US logistics infrastructure Aurora goes driverless with partners Uber Freight, Hirschbach 20 company reactions — good and bad — to Trump's tariff war The post Is English proficiency enforcement the right focus for safer roads? appeared first on FreightWaves.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cia Paranaense De Energia Copel (ELP) Q1 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong EBITDA Growth ...
EBITDA: BRL1.5 billion in Q1 2025, a 13% increase from BRL1.3 billion in Q1 2024. COPEL GNT EBITDA: BRL783 million. COPEL Distribution EBITDA: BRL693 million. Recurring Net Income Growth: 6.4% increase. Dividend Payout: Exceeded 86% for 2024, with a dividend yield close to 9%. Divestment Proceeds: BRL302 million from partial closing of small generation assets. CapEx: BRL678 million in Q1 2025, with 87% allocated to distribution. Leverage: 2.3 times net debt over EBITDA, 0.3 times lower than end of 2024. New Dividend Policy: Minimum payout of 75%, with a target leverage of 2.8 times net debt over EBITDA. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 8 Warning Sign with ELP. Release Date: May 09, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Cia Paranaense De Energia Copel (NYSE:ELP) reported solid growth in EBITDA, reaching BRL1.5 billion in the first quarter, showcasing excellent performance across all business units. The company has a clear strategic plan focused on operational excellence, efficiency gains, and maximizing revenues by leveraging volatile energy prices. A new independent Board of Directors has been approved, bringing highly qualified professionals with complementary skills to contribute to sustainable growth. Cia Paranaense De Energia Copel (NYSE:ELP) announced a new dividend policy with a minimum payout of 75%, aiming to provide predictability and stability to shareholders. The company has a robust balance sheet and strong cash generation, allowing it to take advantage of growth opportunities with financial discipline. The macroeconomic environment and industry factors pose risks and uncertainties that could materially affect future results. Higher financial charges due to increased interest rates and debt volume negatively impacted the financial results. The company faces challenges in maintaining leverage within the optimal range, especially in adverse and stressed scenarios. There is a risk of market fluctuations affecting energy prices, which could impact the company's revenue and profitability. The company is in a phase of operational efficiency and investment execution, which may delay significant capital allocation or M&A activities in the short term. Q: When will the new dividend policy be applied, and how does it relate to the optimal leverage target of 2.8 times? A: The new dividend policy is effective immediately, starting today. The policy allows for flexibility in payout frequency, with at least two payments a year. The leverage target of 2.8 times net debt over EBITDA is set with a 24-month convergence period, allowing for some flexibility within a range of 2.5 to 3.1 times, as long as convergence to 2.8 times is expected within this timeframe. This flexibility helps manage economic cycles and investment opportunities. - Daniel Pimentel Slaviero, CEO; Fernando Mano, General Director Q: How is COPEL preparing for the current energy market conditions, particularly with the price disconnection between the South and Northeast regions? A: COPEL has been strategically contracting long-term energy during high price windows, especially for 2026 onwards. The company has a long position in the Northeast, which was hedged in 2024, allowing it to benefit from price differences. The disconnection between the South and Southeast regions has been advantageous, as COPEL's hydro generation is mostly in the South, while 90% of its energy is sold in the Southeast. This strategy has maximized trading results. - Rodolfo Fontes Lima, Director Q: What are COPEL's priorities for growth and capital allocation, and how does the new dividend policy influence this? A: COPEL's growth strategy focuses on operational efficiency, executing investment plans, and preparing for the tariff review. The new dividend policy provides flexibility for capital allocation, allowing COPEL to maintain leverage within a range while pursuing growth opportunities. The company is not currently planning any major M&A activities but is preparing for long-term growth with a focus on efficiency and risk management. - Daniel Pimentel Slaviero, CEO Q: Can you provide more details on COPEL's energy trading strategy and the impact of price volatility on results? A: COPEL has been capturing higher prices for long-term contracts, with prices close to BRL190 for 2027 and above BRL170 for 2028. The company has benefited from intraday price volatility, which contributed significantly to first-quarter results. The strategy involves maximizing swaps and capturing price differences between regions, which has been effective in enhancing trading performance. - Rodolfo Fontes Lima, Director Q: What is COPEL's stance on participating in the upcoming reserve auction, and how does it plan to manage CapEx for potential projects? A: COPEL plans to participate in the reserve auction with two advanced projects, depending on conditions and prices. The company is cautious about disclosing CapEx details due to strategic considerations. The auction is expected to take place by the end of the year, and COPEL is prepared to leverage its projects to benefit from the auction's outcomes. - Unidentified Company Representative For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Sign in to access your portfolio
