SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD

The Surface Transportation Board announced today that it is seeking nominations for candidates to fill two vacancies for small railroad representatives on the Board’s Railroad-Shipper Transportation Advisory Council (RSTAC).

The ICC Termination Act of 1995 established RSTAC to advise the Board’s Chairman, the Secretary of Transportation, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure with respect to rail transportation policy issues RSTAC considers significant.  RSTAC focuses on issues of importance to small shippers and small railroads, including railcar supply, rates, competition, and procedures for addressing claims.  It is charged with developing private-sector mechanisms to identify, address, and prevent obstacles to effective and efficient interstate transportation.

RSTAC typically holds meetings quarterly at the Board’s headquarters in Washington, DC, although some meetings are held in other locations.  During the coronavirus 2019 pandemic, RSTAC has been holding virtual meetings weekly and now bi-weekly with the Board Members and the FRA Administrator to report on the status of rail service and operations.

Each RSTAC member is appointed for a term of three years.  No member will be eligible to serve more than two consecutive terms.  A member may serve after the expiration of his or her term until a successor has taken office.

RSTAC candidate suggestions should be filed with the Board by February 12, 2021.  Members selected to serve on RSTAC are chosen at the discretion of the Board Chairman.  Please note that submissions will be posted on the Board’s website under Docket No. EP 526 (Sub-No. 14).

Nomination instructions and additional information are provided in STB’s Notice of Railroad-Shipper Transportation Advisory Council Vacancies, EP 526 (Sub-No. 14), issued today.  For further information, contact Coral Torres at (202) 245-0286.  Assistance for the hearing impaired is available through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

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