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The average national price of retail diesel fuel fell for a second straight week, dipping 0.5 cent to $2.676 a gallon, the Department of Energy reported Monday.

Ethanol and biodiesel production is expected to surge in the next few years as government officials in Europe and the United States set higher targets for consumption and maintain subsidies for producers, a panel of experts predicted at a forum on biofuel policies and trade organized by the German Marshall Fund of the United States.

The trucking industry is willing to pay higher fuel taxes as long as the money is spent to improve the highway infrastructure, American Trucking Associations President Bill Graves said.

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — The head of truck and engine maker Navistar International Corp. said its 2007 models are more fuel efficient and perform better than 2006 models, in addition to being cleaner burning.

Following six straight weekly increases, the average national price of retail diesel fuel dipped 0.4 cent to $2.681 a gallon, the Department of Energy reported Monday.

Truck maker Volvo AB said its sales for the first two months of the year fell 13%, as U.S. deliveries plunged following new emissions standards that boosted truck prices, Bloomberg reported Tuesday.

WASHINGTON — Legislation proposed last week could allow federal weight limits for trucks to rise to 97,000 pounds and for the first time set fuel-efficiency standards for trucks.

WASHINGTON — Legislation proposed last week could allow federal weight limits for trucks to rise to 97,000 pounds and for the first time set fuel-efficiency standards for trucks.

U.S. consumer confidence fell this month following fuel price increases and a hitch in the stock market, according to the University of Michigan’s monthly consumer sentiment index released Friday.