Government shutdown will also shut down DOE's national fuel index

GREEN BAY, Wis., Oct. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Government shutdown has resulted in the U.S. Department of Energy's announcement that it will no longer supply a national fuel index as of (10/11/2013).

The D.O.E. diesel fuel index is used by a large number of trucking companies to generate their fuel invoices. "The lack of D.O.E. index is a major problem because many of these carriers have contractual agreements with their clients requiring them to use the D.O.E.'s index to determine fuel costs," said Breakthrough^®Fuel CEO and Chief Innovation Officer Craig Dickman. "Without it, they can't bill for their services, which will hurt many companies that may not have the cash reserves to wait for payment. Our goal is to help them continue to operate."

In an effort to fill the marketplace void, Breakthrough^®Fuel will provide carriers and shippers with a national retail diesel fuel cost average in lieu of the D.O.E.'s national fuel index. Breakthrough^®Fuel's national retail diesel fuel index can be found at http://www.learnmore-breakthroughfuel.com/average-weekly-diesel-fuel-prices and will be published every Monday at 5 pm EST.

Breakthrough^®Fuel's national retail average is generated using fuel prices from thousands of locations throughout the country. The D.O.E. uses 400 locations nationwide to develop its index. "We've tracked our index against the D.O.E. for many years and it's accurate," Dickman said. "Hopefully, the carriers' clients will understand the situation and work to allow trucking companies to use our index."

To learn more about Breakthrough Fuel's national retail fuel index, carriers and shippers can contact Breakthrough^®Fuel at (920) 617-3070.

As a supply chain management and transportation energy advisory firm, Breakthrough^®Fuel helps shippers understand and manage transportation energy lifecycles and costs. The firm works with some of the world's leading brands including Procter & Gamble, Whirlpool, John Deere, Georgia Pacific and Unilever by helping them understand and manage fuel costs as well as develop new strategies and options for fuel and transportation.

Since 2004, Breakthrough^®Fuel has helped shippers manage more than 1.5 billion gallons of fuel; saving clients in excess of $350 million.

Media Note: Craig Dickman is available for interviews to discuss this topic in more detail.

SOURCE Breakthrough®Fuel