POTTSVILLE, Pa.—Trucking companies are hard hit by the rising cost of diesel fuel.

Some Schuylkill County companies tell The Republican & Herald newspaper in Pottsville the cost of fuel now exceeds their personnel costs.

Pennsylvania's average cost of diesel fuel has hit $4.68 a gallon. Owner Alan Felty of Harold M. Felty of Pine Grove says fuel costs for his 11 trucks are now double what they were last year.

Co-owner Terry Ernst of J. Marlin Ernst & Sons Trucking in Orwigsburg says fuel is his number one expense, above drivers' wages and any other costs.

President Bert Evans Jr. of Schuylkill Haven-based Evans Delivery says he's putting a 65 mph speed limit on his trucks, and programming computers to allow only 3 minutes of idling time to cut fuel consumption.

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Information from: Pottsville Republican and Herald, http://www.republicanherald.com