FOR RELEASE
Contact: Janie Sheng (202) 245-0221
01/14/2009 (Wednesday)
No. 09-01


FedRelay 1 (800) 877-8339
www.stb.gov
SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD ISSUES PROPOSED RULES REGARDING SOLID WASTE RAIL TRANSFER FACILITIES IN RESPONSE TO "CLEAN RAILROADS ACT OF 2008"


The Surface Transportation Board announced today that it has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking requesting comments on proposed rules to implement The Clean Railroads Act of 2008 (Pub. L. No. 110-432), concerning solid waste rail transfer facilities. The proposed rules also will serve as interim rules until completion of the rulemaking proceeding.


The Clean Railroads Act, enacted in October 2008, adds new sections 10908-10 to Title 49 of the United States Code. Those sections limit the Board's authority related to solid waste rail transfer facilities and expand the authority of states to regulate these facilities. The proposed rules address such topics as what existing and proposed solid waste rail transfer facilities must do to comply with the Clean Railroads Act; the Board's role under the Clean Railroads Act; and the effects of the Clean Railroads Act and land-use-exemption permits. Comments on the proposed rules are due by February 23, 2009; reply comments may be filed by March 23, 2009. Comments may be submitted in traditional paper form by submitting an original and 10 copies to:


Attention: STB Ex Parte No. 684

Surface Transportation Board
395 E Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20423-0001


Comments also may be filed electronically via the Board's Web site, at http://www.stb.dot.gov, by clicking the "E-FILING" button on the home page.


The Board issued its proposed rules today, January 14, 2009 in Solid Waste Rail Transfer Facilities, STB Ex Parte No. 684. That decision will be published in the February 22, 2009 Federal Register and is available for viewing and downloading on the Board's Web site at http://www.stb.dot.gov, under "E-LIBRARY" on the home page, then under "Decisions & Notices," beneath the date "01/14/09."


###