Advertisement

If you have an ACS member number, please enter it here so we can link this account to your membership. (optional)

ACS values your privacy. By submitting your information, you are gaining access to C&EN and subscribing to our weekly newsletter. We use the information you provide to make your reading experience better, and we will never sell your data to third party members.

ENJOY UNLIMITED ACCES TO C&EN

Policy

Senate Approves Bill To Reform Rail Policy

by Glenn Hess
June 29, 2015 | A version of this story appeared in Volume 93, Issue 26

Chemical manufacturers are welcoming recent Senate approval of legislation that would overhaul U.S. freight rail policy. The bill (S. 808) would reform operations at the Surface Transportation Board (STB), a small federal agency that resolves rate and service disputes between freight railroads and their customers—companies that ship chemicals, grain, coal, and other bulk commodities. The legislation seeks to make STB more responsive to the needs of shippers, which have long complained that the current process for challenging the fairness of a rate can cost up to $3 million and take three years to complete. The bill would streamline STB’s “overly burdensome rate review process” and allow the board to be more proactive in resolving freight rail issues, says Calvin M. Dooley, chief executive officer of the American Chemistry Council, a chemical trade association. The measure would empower STB to initiate investigations into rail service problems, not just respond to complaints. It would also set timelines for rate reviews. The measure now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Article:

This article has been sent to the following recipient:

0 /1 FREE ARTICLES LEFT THIS MONTH Remaining
Chemistry matters. Join us to get the news you need.