Managing fleets is certainly not an easy job. One of the most significant challenges corporate and public fleet managers face is dealing with the effects of legislation on their business. Recently two new pieces of legislation were passed that will directly affect fleet managers over the next few years.
The first was a Presidential Memorandum signed by President Obama in May that directed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to create fuel efficiency standards for medium- and heavy-duty trucks while decreasing their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The second piece of legislation, the American Public Power Act, was introduced in May by Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) to combat climate change. The Public Power Act covered several important issues that will directly affect fleet managers.
One way fleet managers can keep abreast of legislative changes and their impact is to join the NAFA Fleet Management Association. NAFA encourages fleet managers to communicate regularly with lawmakers and regulators to assure that fleet concerns are considered when laws and regulations are being considered.
According to their website, NAFA is the world’s premier non-profit association for the diverse vehicle fleet management profession – regardless of organizational type, geographic location or fleet composition. NAFA’s legislative team keeps fleet managers informed about issues that directly affect their fleets. This is one of the most valuable and most important benefits of NAFA membership.
During the first two quarters of 2010, NAFA’s legislative team provided informative updates via newsletters, spoke directly to the members at NAFA’s Expo Conference 2010, and began offering insightful webinars. Coverage of legal issues will be further be enhanced in 3rd quarter of 2010 with the debut of two new newsletters that will include in-depth analysis of laws and pending regulations affecting fleet operations. One will be for corporate fleet managers and one will be for public service fleet managers.
About NAFA
NAFA is the world’s premier non-profit association for professionals who manage fleets of sedans, public safety vehicles, trucks, and buses of all types and sizes, and a wide range of military and off-road equipment for organizations across the globe. NAFA’s Full and Associate Members are responsible for the specification, acquisition, maintenance and repair, fueling, risk management, and remarketing of more than 3.5 million vehicles including in excess of 1.1 million trucks of which are 350 thousand are medium- and heavy-duty trucks.