Executive order affects Surface Transportation Board actions

The Surface Transportation Board’s (STB’s) unfinished proposals have been halted by President Trump’s executive order stopping agency rulemakings, grants and other actions, the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), Washington, reports in its “Leadership Update” email dated Feb. 1, 2017.

Among the proposals the STB was working on was revoking the exception for ferrous steel scrap, which would provide remedies to address poor service or excessive charges for captive rail shippers of this material, ISRI says.

The association says it filed comments in 2016 supporting the proposal.

ISRI predicts that the outcome off these rules will be delayed for several additional months as nominees to the STB go through the confirmation process.

“ISRI will continue working with the coalitions seeking implementation of last year’s reforms to ensure our interests are being heard,” according to the association’s “Leadership Update.”

President Trump designated Ann Begeman to serve as acting chairman of the STB Jan. 25, 2017. She currently is serving a second, five-year term as a member of the board following her recent nomination by President Barack Obama Dec. 7, 2016, and her unanimous confirmation by the U.S. Senate Dec. 9, 2016. Begeman first joined the board May 2, 2011, and her current term expires Dec. 31, 2020.