Rep. Mike Michaud represents Maine's 2nd District in the United States Congress.

Along with the entire Maine congressional delegation, the Governor, the State Legislature, and hundreds of Maine businesses, I have been working for years now to convince lawmakers on Capitol Hill to approve of a truck weight exemption for the remainder of Maine's Interstate System. It has been a challenge, but I think a recent hearing that I secured on the issue has helped it move forward.

On July 9th, I joined fellow Highways and Transit Subcommittee members in holding a hearing on truck weight and length. Maine Department of Transportation Commissioner David Cole testified before the subcommittee on behalf of the State of Maine's request to exempt the remainder of its Interstate System from federal truck weights so that it is consistent with state weight limits. Among other things, this change would help move trucks off the state's secondary roads and onto the Interstate System.

During his testimony, Commissioner Cole highlighted the important benefits of a truck weight exemption for the remainder of Maine's Interstate: 1) it will allow industries in Maine to be more competitive; 2) it will save on fuel, which is important given high diesel prices; 3) it will help reduce pollution because it will reduce truck miles traveled; 4) and most importantly, it will promote safety for Mainers.

I couldn't agree more. Under current law, essentially all of Maine's Interstate, except the Maine Turnpike in southern Maine, is subject to the nationwide federal truck weight limit of 80,000 pounds. But Maine's truck weight limit is 100,000 pounds. This is the mismatch. Realistically, it would be very difficult to lower Maine's weight limit due to the needs of our major industries, like forest products and agriculture. In addition, lowering the state limit would just mean that the same amount of freight would have to be moved by more trucks.

The mismatch in truck weights means that heavier loads are diverted to secondary roads through many towns in their travels up and down the state. However, if the exemption were granted, trucks could be driving on a rural Interstate system, away from town centers and communities. I have sponsored a bill to accomplish this and am actively working with committee members to come up with a way to move forward. The July 9th hearing was a great development.

During the hearing, committee members heard from two diverse panels. In addition to Commissioner Cole, I thought that one panelist provided testimony that was particularly relevant to Maine's situation. International Paper's Director of Transportation, Tom Carpenter, told the committee about a truck weigh mismatch they have in Alabama, which is similar to Maine situation, and how a truck weight change could positively affect one of their mills there.

Mr. Carpenter said that raising the weight limits with the addition of a third axle will be a win/win for shippers, truckers and the commuting public. For example, if the truck weight limit was increased to 97,000 pounds, one of their mills could increase the weight of the cargo on each truck from 45,000 pounds to almost 60,000 pounds. The mill could then transport the 27 million pounds of paper it was shipping on 450 trucks instead of 600. This is significant because 150 fewer trucks on the road driving the 628 miles one-way results in a reduction of 94,200 vehicle miles traveled each week. With fuel today costing 77 cents per mile, the fuel savings would be close to $73,000 per week, with a reduction in CO2 emissions each week of 130,000 lbs. Perhaps most startling is the total weight reduction achieved each week on the roads and bridges between their mill and its shipping destinations of 5,250,000 pounds per week.

This is just one example of the positive impacts a change in truck weights could make. Just like the mill in Alabama, Maine mills could also save substantially on costs and therefore be able to remain competitive and preserve jobs. I think after Mr. Carpenter's testimony that committee members not only understood the important safety aspects of a truck weight change in places like Maine, but also the substantial economic impacts.

One of the main problems with accomplishing a truck weight change is that many people don't understand the particular situation that Maine is in. Once they do, they get it. This hearing was very positive for the issue and I hope that it helps pave the way for a solution.