STB to establish toxic cargo committee
Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-Chief The Surface Transportation Board announced that it will establish the Toxic by Inhalation Hazard (TIH) Common Carrier Transportation Advisory Committee to provide the Board with guidance on the obligation of railroads to move TIH cargo. STB said 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."
Noting that in recent years the Board has seen an increasing number of "issues and contentiousness" on the subject, the Board said it 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 is seeking comment from interested persons on issues ranging from the scope of the committee’s mandate to the composition of its membership.
The decision establishing the committee, which includes instructions on submitting comments or nominations, is available on the Board’s website, www.stb.dot.gov.
