Surface Transportation Board to form new committee

The Department of Transportation's Surface Transportation Board has announced plans to form a new advisory committee. According to a notice (.pdf file) published in the Aug. 10 Federal Register, the Toxic by Inhalation Hazard Common Carrier Transportation Advisory Committee will be responsible for providing independent advice on issues related to common carrier obligations with respect to the rail transportation of toxic-by-inhalation hazards. It also will outline a railroad's reasonable response to a shipper's request to transport TIH cargo.

The committee is expected to convene for a two-year period and produce a recommended policy statement for consideration by the Surface Transportation Board. The deadline for comments on the scope of the committee's mandate is Sept. 24. Nominations for membership must be received by 5 p.m. on Oct. 25.