A carrier who transports goods for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is requesting an exemption from ELD rules which could leave it vulnerable to unwanted surveillance and tracking. While it’s not the first carrier to request an exemption from ELDs, it may be the first to do so on the grounds of national security.
Wilcox Truck Line is a specialty carrier which sometimes hauls sensitive goods. To give you an idea of how sensitive, one of their clients is the DOE. Specifically, they haul goods for the Idaho National Laboratory, which is described on its website as “the nation’s premier nuclear science and technology lab.”
In its exemption request, Wilcox states that one of the security requirements imposed by the DOE is “the ability to disable electronic tracking of shipments in order to limit identification of the physical location of the shipment. These shipments require that no telematic tracking device be used during the movement of the shipment.”
The concern seems to be that an ELD could possibly give away the exact location of shipments of sensitive goods headed to a nuclear facility.
Wilcox states in its request that ELDs would only be disabled for these specific sensitive loads – otherwise their drivers would use them as required.
The request is now available for viewing and comment online.
Scooter says
Finally, someone is taking this as seriously as it needs to be taken. These ELDs are going to leave us 100% vulnerable, and not just domestically.
Trucker's Wife says
The drivers picking up/delivering to DOE locations already have their lives on the line when it comes to the potential for terrorist or information thieves destroying or hijacking freight. Lots of high end criminals have no problem “disposing” of people in their way. I hope that they get the exemption.
Jonny Sponar says
Get on board like everyone else and quit trying excuses. If I have to use these stupid things so do you
scott brazinsky says
whats the problem there johnny,Jealous?
Mike says
Seems legit. There are always exceptions to consider and I feel this might be one to consider.
Blaine says
So now the entire world knows Wilcox Truck Lines hauls for the DOE. This is a real intelligent article. Maybe they should have redacted the name of the carrier in the request for exemption and this article.
Phil Casey says
You don’t think other countries know about this lab? The Russians & the Chinese have birds in orbit that can read the license plate of a car in the parking lot next to these high security complexes.
Chris says
Why don’t they give everyone an exemption haha
Jay Stensrud says
Jonny Sponar ? Isn’t he the kid we gave the swirly to back in 73 ? Wondered what happened to him. Still crying.
Phil Casey says
Noting is secret anymore. The results of a quick Google search.
https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2014/07/31/336847318/to-find-america-s-nukes-try-google-maps
Phil Casey says
https://www.ucsusa.org/nuclear-weapons/us-nuclear-weapons-policy/us-nuclear-weapons-facilities.html#.Wsft8Jch2Uk
Goinpostal says
There’s something called”Equal Treatment Under The Law”!
There should be NO ELD exemptions,unless there’s a State,or National Emergency.
I’m tired of this Animal Farm crap,AKA”All people are created equal,but some are more equal than others”.
Chuck says
Completely agree. EQUAL TREATMENT MEANS NO EXEMPTIONS !!!! IF THE LAW IS FLAWED (IT IS), REMOVE AND REVISE FOR EVERYONE !!
Jude says
I thought the DoT had issued “rules” for this industry to follow. If even ONE carrier is exempted from them, they aren’t “rules” but rather “harassment guidelines” to be used against everyone else. Either the rules apply equally to everyone or they apply to no one.
Bill says
You boys evidently didn’t read article. He only ask for exemptions for the trucks that are hauling the DOE freight. And once dropped they would log back on. Freaking steering wheel holders. Prob all swift drivers. GEEZ
Mark says
Seems pretty legit, to be honest. Even moreso if you go through the body of the request in the article’s link.
They’re not asking for the exemption for anything EXCEPT the loads that the DOE already requires non-tracking on. The institute with the requirements has confirmed the necessity. They’ve stated that they intend for paper logs to be used during these ELD-off periods.
These are the kinds of issues that were always going to need addressing as ELD’s took center sage. This isn’t some blanket exemption, despite what some of the comments are trying to imply. Not sure what the fuss is about, here.
Ronald Thompson says
How about… Let’s just make this whole ELD Mandate thing either go away or by Choice