The Western Plant Health Association has weighed in on the rail carriers’ request to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) that they be relieved of their responsibilities to carry toxic-by-inhalation (TIH) materials.
STB will be holding a hearing on this issue in Washington, DC, on July 22. Rail carriers object to the insurance liability that is attached to moving these products and are asking that they be relieved of this liability by not having to handle TIH materials like anhydrous ammonia (NH3).
WPHA’s comments reflected industry’s belief that this is beyond the authority of STB, that the Interstate Commerce Act clearly states that railroads are not able to pick and choose what shippers and products they wish to handle, and that only Congress has the authority to relieve them of their obligations. WPHA also commented that the movement of NH3 by rail is a vital component of the West’s delivery system of fertilizer products, and the use of rail transport is far safer and more cost efficient to suppliers and growers than if industry was to have to move to truck transport only.
The Agricultural Retailers Association is asking ag retailers to comment on the issue also (see “Keep NH3 On Tracks” in the July 8 issue of CropLife eNews).
