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>From the Surface Transportation Board, Washington, D.C.
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The federal Surface Transportation Board announced today its decision to
form an advisory committee to study and suggest ways to safely move toxic
cargo like chlorine in a cost-effective manner.
The Toxic by Inhalation Hazard Common Carrier Transportation
Advisory Committee will provide the Board with independent advice
and policy suggestions related to the common carrier obligation of
railroads to transport toxic by inhalation hazards (TIH). The
committee will specifically focus on the amount of economic
responsibility for liability that railroads can reasonably ask TIH
shippers to assume before the carrier will transport the cargo.
Common carrier obligation is the statutory duty of railroads to
provide transportation or service on reasonable request. In recent
years, the Board has seen an increasing number of issues and
contentiousness regarding the common carrier obligation to
transport TIH cargo.
By creating the advisory committee, the Board hopes to facilitate
dialogue among TIH shippers, railroads, insurers or underwriters
and tank-car owners, lessors or manufacturers with a goal of
resolving economic concerns surrounding the transportation of TIH
cargo.
"Achieving an industry-wide consensus on these tough problems
through a process where shippers and railroads meet face-to-face
and find common ground is more likely to result in better, more
sustainable solutions," said Board Chairman Daniel R. Elliott III.
The Board seeks comment from interested persons on issues ranging
from the scope of the committee's mandate to the composition of
its membership.
The full decision establishing the committee, Establishment of the
Toxic by Inhalation Hazard Common Carrier Transportation Advisory
Committee, STB Ex Parte No. 698
( http://www.stb.dot.gov/decisions/readingroom.nsf/WebDecisionID/40733?OpenDocument )
, is available on the Board's website, www.stb.dot.gov. The
decision includes instructions on submitting comments or
nominations.
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