Chemical Shipping Coalition Petitions Department of Transportation to Draft New Tank Car Regulations

A large chemical and petrochemical coalition has petitioned the Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to promulgate new regulations cementing the agency's authority over railway tank car shipping for petroleum and chemical products.  The coalition, which includes the Americal Chemistry Council and the Americal Petroleum Instititute, felt that new regulations were necessary after the Association of American Railroads (AAR) created standards that deviated from PHMSA hazmat packaging regulations.  Additionally, the coalition proposed that any new AAR standards touching on PHMSA's authority must require a special permit from the agency, which would allow for public notice and comment through federal rulemaking.

A copy of the petition can be found here.