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Last week, RailAmerica Inc. announced that a special interest group comprising the American Chemistry Council, Chlorine Institute Inc., The Fertilizer Institute and PPG Industries Inc. had filed a complaint with the Surface Transportation Board seeking to halt the implementation of enhanced safety measures associated with transporting chlorine and hazardous commodities at the Alabama Gulf Coast Railway and other railroads operated by the short-line holding company.

The group filed the complaint because RailAmerica was imposing a tariff that included “unreasonable operating restrictions and surcharges” on toxic-by-inhalation (TIH) shipments “under the guise of safety and security concerns,” said Frank Reiner, president of the Chlorine Institute, in a statement issued April 21 in response to RailAmerica’s claims. (Follow this link to read a news item that summarizes RailAmerica’s position.)

“We filed the complaint because we believe that the federal government through the Federal Railroad Administration and the Transportation Security Administration is the appropriate entity to develop and implement rules to achieve safe and secure rail operations,” said Reiner. “The FRA and TSA have aggressively and successfully implemented regulations which have resulted in a strong record for shipment of TIH products by rail. We look forward to continue our collaboration with these government agencies to further enhance safety and security of rail transportation.”
 
The chemical industry is committed to safely transporting TIH materials, and has invested in developing and acquiring safer tank cars to protect shipments in the event of an accident, he said.

“Our commitment to safety and security is unquestioned. Industry collaboration with the efforts of FRA and TSA has led to a safe and secure rail environment,” said Reiner. “The operational restrictions placed on TIH materials by RailAmerica on its Alabama Gulf Coast line have the potential to disrupt transportation of essential chemicals with no measurable enhancement but with significant cost to shippers.”