Insights - October 2015 - (Page 2)

Download the Mobile App The Intermodal Insights mobile app is available in the Google Play Store and in the App Store. Download to your mobile device today! Cover image © istock.com Intermodal Insights is published monthly by the Intermodal Association of North America for the benefit of its members. Intermodal Insights is a registered trademark of the Intermodal Association of North America. All rights reserved. Perry Trunick, Editor Send press releases and letters to the editor to insights@intermodal.org. Must be received by the 10th of the month to be considered for inclusion in the next issue. Maggie Miller, Advertising Sales 301-982-3400, ext. 350 advertising@intermodal.org Joanne F. Casey, President & CEO INTERMODAL ASSOCIATION OF NORTH AMERICA 11785 Beltsville Drive, Suite 1100 Calverton, MD 20705-4048 301-982-3400 * Fax: 301-982-4815 www.intermodal.org 2 Intermodal Insights | October 2015 Federal Update GAO Report Expresses PTC Concern A Government Accountability Office report to Congress found that most railroads are experiencing significant challenges in implementing Positive Train Control and will most likely be unable to meet the 2015 deadline. The GAO recommends Congress approve legislation to extend the deadline and also describes a lack of Federal Railroad Administration oversight of the process thus-far. It recommends the development of a plan to hold railroads accountable for PTC implementation. On August 7, the FRA released a detailed status report on PTC implementation. The report was mandated by the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2015, more commonly known as the Omnibus Appropriations bill. Stakeholders and lawmakers alike have been aware for some time that most railroads would fail to meet the deadline for a host of reasons, and Congressional response has been varied. In August, the Senate passed the DRIVE Act, a six-year reauthorization bill, with language extending the PTC implementation deadline until December 31, 2018 on a case-by-case basis. With little action in the House of Representatives, however, speculation is increasing that the extension would have to be a standalone piece of legislation. As September was coming to a close, a continuing resolution to fund the government beyond Sept. 30, introduced by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), did not include a PTC deadline extension. Positive Note for Positive Train Control The Surface Transportation Board has created an online portal for incoming and outgoing correspondence regarding the PTC implementation deadline. Already posted on the portal are letters from CSX, BNSF, Norfolk Southern, and Union Pacific Railroads, STB Chairman Daniel R. Elliott III, and Sen. John Thune (R-SD). For the PTC correspondence portal at the Surface Transportation Board, visit bit.ly/STBportal. Peak Charges Proposed at Oakland Finding a growing need to ease congestion during peak times, Port of Oakland terminal operators submitted to the Federal Maritime Commission an amendment to the Oakland Marine Terminal Operator Agreement. The submission proposes operating terminal gates on Saturdays and levying a fee on loaded containers exiting or entering terminals during peak hours. The program would be referred to as "OakPass," similar in concept to the San Pedro Bay ports' PierPass program. The proposed amendment is subject to a 45-day FMC review period. Fees, which were scheduled to begin September 7, are now pending the FMC request for more information. Federal Update - continued on page 26 http://www.bit.ly/STBportal http://www.istock.com http://www.cushingtrans.com http://www.intermodal.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Insights - October 2015

Fed Update
GAO Report Expresses PTC Concern
Positive Note for Positive Train Control
Peak Charges Proposed at Oakland
Intermodal EXPO 2015 Addresses Stakeholder Needs
Nominations for Election to the 2016 Board of Directors
University of North Texas Three-Peats at Intermodal EXPO
Gooden Presented with Silver Kingpin Award
Freight Reports
Sustainability News
Port News
People in the News
In Brief
2015 Sponsors
Welcome New Members
Size and Weight Comments Due Oct. 13th
Intermodal Calendar

Insights - October 2015