SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD TO ESTABLISH ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TOXIC BY INHALATION HAZARDS

[STBNews@xxxxxxxxxxx]

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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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