Scott Dane

Surging diesel costs are squeezing America’s logging industry, with one industry leader warning that rising fuel expenses are eroding profitability for businesses that depend heavily on diesel to keep trucks and equipment running. American Loggers Council Executive Director Scott Dane said “We’re in trouble. There’s no question about that”. …Dane said the industry’s dependence on diesel has made the surge especially difficult to absorb, pointing to the cost of filling a logging truck and the growing share of operating expenses now going toward fuel. …The pressure is being compounded by what Dane described as stagnant prices for loggers, limiting their ability to offset higher operating costs with additional revenue. …”We have an emergency here, and under the Emergency Powers Act, the president should suspend the export of diesel out of the United States. It makes no sense,” Dane said.