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A Short Line – DC Update

A Short Line – DC Update. AASHTO - SCORT Annual Meeting September 9, 2014. Jerry Vest, Senior Vice President, Government & Industry Affairs Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc. First, an advertisement…. A rundown of current federal legislative issues facing short line freight railroads:.

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A Short Line – DC Update

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  1. A Short Line – DC Update AASHTO - SCORT Annual Meeting September 9, 2014 Jerry Vest, Senior Vice President, Government & Industry Affairs Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc.

  2. First, an advertisement…

  3. A rundown of current federal legislative issues facing short line freight railroads: • Short Line Tax Credit • Railroad Safety • Preserving Reasonable Regulation • Truck Size and Weight • Energy and Railroading • Other

  4. Short Line Tax Credit Senate • Change in Finance Committee Leadership • Short Line Railroad Rehabilitation and Investment Act of 2013, S.411 • 50 co-sponsors House • Pending Change in Ways & Means Leadership • Short Line Railroad Rehabilitation and Investment Act of 2013, HR.721 • 250 co-sponsors

  5. Railroad Safety 2008 Rail Safety Improvement Act • Expired on September 30, 2013 • Delayed consideration by House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee • House T&I Committee hearing on “Passenger and Freight Rail Safety” on February 26, 2014

  6. Railroad Safety Positive Train Control • AAR and FRA Reports to Congress that December 31, 2015 deadline unattainable • FCC announced on May 19, 2014 agreement with seven Class I carriers to allow movement forward on installing 20,000 communications antennas • Railroad Safety and Positive Train Control Extension Act, S.1462, 15 co-sponsors

  7. Railroad Safety A New Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2014 • Senate bill being introduced by Senator Blumenthal • Wide ranging impacts on industry • Several areas of significant concern: • PTC for Crude by Rail • Tremendous increases in FRA fines

  8. Railroad Safety Emergency Responder Coordination • Railroad Emergency Services Preparedness, Operational Needs, and Safety Evaluations Act. • 5 House co-sponsors (HR.5345), 6 Senate co-sponsors (S.2547)

  9. Railroad Safety Two Man Crew Legislation • HR.3040 introduced on August 2, 2013 • Demands two man crews on all trains • Introduced by Cong. Mike Michaud, Currently with 80 co-sponsors

  10. Preserving Reasonable Regulation Senate • Bill introduced March 21, 2013: “Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act of 2013”, S.638 • Only five co-sponsors • Introduces Federal Trade Commission into economic oversight of freight railroads House • No action expected

  11. Surface Transportation Board Reauthorization Senate • Bill introduced Sept. 8, 2014: “A bill to establish the Surface Transportation Board as an independent establishment, and for other purposes”, S.2777 • Introduced by Senators Rockefeller and Thune • Expands and changes STB • Unclear if time is available this year for action

  12. Truck Size and Weight USDOT TSW Study • Mandated in MAP-21 • Methodology on important aspects questionable • Specific concern for rail freight industry: Modal Diversion

  13. Truck Size and Weight Safe and Efficient Transportation Act of 2013 • Ignores MAP-21 Study Requirement • Would allow for states to decide on 97,000 lb. weight limit for national highways • Introduced by Cong. Mike Michaud on Feb. 12, 2013; now has 18 co-sponsors

  14. Energy and Railroading Disclaimer: The following historic photo is intended for viewing only by mature audiences. Those easily offended by carbon sources of energy should either close their eyes or leave the room.

  15. Energy and Railroading

  16. Energy and Railroading • The U.S. Rail Freight industry is still suffering from the gross operating errors associated with the tragedy at Lac Megantic, Quebec on July 6, 2013. • This incident and the resulting loss of 47 lives is still widely used by those that seek to: • Limit the use and transport of carbon forms of energy • Inflict more regulation on the railroad industry

  17. Federal government reactions to Lac Megantic • A series of emergency orders from the Federal Railroad Administration to address numerous railroad and shipper practices • February 25, 2014: Voluntary Crude by Rail Operating Practices announced by USDOT and AAR • July 23, 2014: USDOT Rulemaking on Tank Car Design

  18. A Digression into Railroad History PRR Open Top Coal HopperCirca 1943

  19. Energy and Railroading Has “Coal Goes to War” become a “War on Coal”? • July 25, 2013 President Obama: Initiative to reduce carbon emissions • June 2, 2014 US EPA: CO2 standards for existing coal fired electric generation Extremely relevant financially for the rail freight industry: • Coal is a base load commodity for many freight railroads • Coal based electric generation is a critical part of our overall economy

  20. Other Surface Transportation Reauthorization • July 6, 2012 President Obama signed into law MAP-21 • September 30, 2014 MAP-21 expires • August 8, 2014 President Obama signs into law providing: • A financial patch for the Highway Trust Fund, funding it through May, 2015 • Extension of MAP-21 through May 31, 2015

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