[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 193 (Monday, October 5, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 62689]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-21925]


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SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD

49 CFR Part 1039

[Docket No. EP 704 (Sub-No. 1)]


Review of Commodity, Boxcar, and TOFC/COFC Exemptions

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board.

ACTION: Request for comment in rulemaking proceeding.

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SUMMARY: The Surface Transportation Board (Board or STB) seeks public 
comment on a new approach its Office of Economics has developed for 
possible use in considering class exemption and revocation issues.

DATES: Initial comments are due on or before December 4, 2020. Replies 
to initial comments are due on or before January 4, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Comments and replies may be filed with the Board via e-
filing and will be posted to the Board's website at www.stb.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Ziehm at (202) 245-0391. 
Assistance for the hearing impaired is available through Federal Relay 
Service at (800) 877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 23, 2016, the Board issued a notice 
of proposed rulemaking seeking public comment on its proposal to revoke 
the existing class exemptions under 49 CFR part 1039 for (1) crushed or 
broken stone or rip rap; (2) hydraulic cement; (3) coke produced from 
coal; (4) primary iron or steel products; and (5) iron or steel scrap, 
wastes, or tailings. Review of Commodity, Boxcar & TOFC/COFC Exemptions 
(NPRM), EP 704 (Sub-No. 1) (STB served Mar. 23, 2016) (with Board 
Member Begeman dissenting). The NPRM also invited interested parties to 
file comments regarding the possible revocation of other commodity 
class exemptions. On March 19, 2019, to permit informal discussions 
with interested parties, the Board waived the general prohibition on ex 
parte communications in effect when the proceeding was initiated. 
Review of Commodity, Boxcar & TOFC/COFC Exemptions, EP 704 (Sub-No. 1) 
(STB served Mar. 19, 2019). Following the feedback received during the 
course of this proceeding, the Board's Office of Economics has 
developed an approach for possible use in considering class exemption 
and revocation issues. The Board requests that interested parties 
submit comments on the approach.
    Additional information is contained in the Board's decision, 
available at www.stb.gov.

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 10502 and 13301.

List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 1039

    Agricultural commodities, Intermodal transportation, Railroads.

    Decided: September 29, 2020.
    By the Board, Board Members Begeman, Fuchs, and Oberman.
Aretha Laws-Byrum,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2020-21925 Filed 10-2-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P