[The Regulatory Plan and Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions]
[Surface Transportation Board Semiannual Regulatory Agenda]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]


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Part LX





Surface Transportation Board





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Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

[[Page 74330]]



SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD (STB)                                     


  



_______________________________________________________________________

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

49 CFR Ch. X

[STB Ex Parte No. 536 (Sub-No. 21)]

Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board.

ACTION: Semiannual regulatory agenda.

_______________________________________________________________________

SUMMARY: The Surface Transportation Board (the Board), in accordance 
with the requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, is publishing 
a semiannual agenda of: (1) current and projected rulemakings; and (2) 
existing regulations being reviewed to determine whether to propose 
modifications through rulemaking. Listed below are the regulatory 
actions to be developed or reviewed during the next 12 months. 
Following each rule identified is a brief description of the rule, 
including its purpose and legal basis.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: A contact person is identified for 
each of the rules listed below.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601 
et seq. (RFA), sets forth a number of requirements for agency 
rulemaking. Among other things, the RFA requires that, semiannually, 
each agency shall publish in the Federal Register a regulatory 
flexibility agenda, which shall contain:

     (1) A brief description of the subject area of any rule that 
the agency expects to propose or promulgate, which is likely to 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities;

     (2) A summary of the nature of any such rule under 
consideration for each subject area listed in the agenda pursuant 
to paragraph (1), the objectives and legal basis for the issuance 
of the rule, and an approximate schedule for completing action on 
any rule for which the agency has issued a general notice of 
proposed rulemaking; and

     (3) The name and telephone number of an agency official 
knowledgeable concerning the items listed in paragraph (1).

     Accordingly, a list of proceedings appears below containing 
information about subject areas in which the Board is currently 
conducting rulemaking proceedings or may institute such proceedings 
in the near future. It also contains information about existing 
regulations being reviewed to determine whether to propose 
modifications through rulemaking.

     The agenda represents the Board's best estimate of rules that 
will be considered over the next 12 months. However, section 602(d) 
of the RFA, 5 U.S.C. 602(d), provides: ``Nothing in [section 602] 
precludes an agency from considering or acting on any matter not 
included in a regulatory flexibility agenda or requires an agency 
to consider or act on any matter listed in such agenda.''

     The Board is publishing its fall 2006 regulatory flexibility 
agenda as part of the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and 
Deregulatory Actions (Unified Agenda). The Unified Agenda is 
coordinated by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), pursuant 
to Executive Order 12866. The Board is participating in the program 
voluntarily to assist OMB.

Decided: August 31, 2006.

By the Board, Chairman Nottingham, Vice Chairman Mulvey, and 
Commissioner Buttrey.

 Vernon A. Williams,

Secretary.

                                 Surface Transportation Board--Long-Term Actions
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                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4195        Class Exemption for Expedited Abandonment Procedure for Class II and Class III            2140-AA71
            Railroads, STB Ex Parte No. 647.......................................................
4196        Major Issues in Rail Rate Cases, STB Ex Parte No. 657 (Sub-No. 1).....................    2140-AA79
4197        Public Participation in Class Exemption Proceedings, STB Ex Parte No. 659.............    2140-AA80
4198        Rail Fuel Surcharges, STB Ex Parte No. 661............................................    2140-AA81
4199        Simplified Standards for Rail Rate Cases, STB Ex Parte No. 646 (Sub-No. 1)............    2140-AA82
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                 Surface Transportation Board--Completed Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4200        Small Rate Guidelines, STB Ex Parte No. 646...........................................    2140-AA70
4201        Rail Rate Challenges Under the Stand-Alone Cost Methodology, STB Ex Parte No. 657.....    2140-AA78
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[[Page 74331]]

_______________________________________________________________________


Surface Transportation Board (STB)                    Long-Term Actions


  



_______________________________________________________________________




4195. CLASS EXEMPTION FOR EXPEDITED ABANDONMENT PROCEDURE FOR CLASS II 
AND CLASS III RAILROADS, STB EX PARTE NO. 647

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant. Major status under 5 USC 801 is 
undetermined.

Legal Authority: 49 USC 10502; 49 USC 10903

CFR Citation: Not Yet Determined

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Board is considering a proposal to create a class 
exemption for Class II and Class III railroads from some of the prior 
approval requirements of the abandonment process.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

ANPRM                           08/13/03                    68 FR 48332
Hearing                         07/27/04                    69 FR 44727
ANPRM                           01/19/06                     71 FR 3030


Next Action Undetermined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: None

URL For More Information:
www.stb.dot.gov

URL For Public Comments:
www.stb.dot.gov

Agency Contact: Joseph H. Dettmar, Deputy Director, Office of 
Proceedings, Surface Transportation Board, 1925 K Street NW, 
Washington, DC 20423-0001
Phone: 202 565-1609
TDD Phone: 800 877-8339
Fax: 202 565-9002
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 2140-AA71
_______________________________________________________________________




4196. [bull] MAJOR ISSUES IN RAIL RATE CASES, STB EX PARTE NO. 657 (SUB-
NO. 1)

Priority: Other Significant. Major status under 5 USC 801 is 
undetermined.

Legal Authority: 49 USC 10701(d); 49 USC 721

CFR Citation: 49 CFR 1111

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Board is seeking comments on proposed changes to its 
``stand-alone cost'' methodology for resolving major rail rate cases.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            03/03/06                    71 FR 11015
NPRM Comment Period End         06/30/06


Next Action Undetermined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: None

URL For More Information:
www.stb.dot.gov

URL For Public Comments:
www.stb.dot.gov

Agency Contact: Raymond A. Atkins, Attorney, Surface Transportation 
Board, 1925 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20423-0001
Phone: 202 565-1624
TDD Phone: 800 877-8339
Fax: 202 565-9001
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 2140-AA79
_______________________________________________________________________




4197. [bull] PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN CLASS EXEMPTION PROCEEDINGS, STB EX 
PARTE NO. 659

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant. Major status under 5 USC 801 is 
undetermined.

Legal Authority: 49 USC 721(a); 49 USC 10502; 49 USC 10901 to 10902; 5 
USC 553; 5 USC 559; 11 USC 1172; 49 USC 721; 49 USC 11323 to 11325

CFR Citation: 49 CFR 1150.32; 49 CFR 1150.35; 49 CFR 1150.42; 49 CFR 
1150.45; 49 CFR 1180.4

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Board proposes to revise its procedures for certain 
classes of exempt transactions under 49 USC 10901, 10902, and 11323 to 
provide for greater public participation in such proceedings and to 
allow Federal Register notice of covered transactions to precede the 
effective date of the exemption.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            03/16/06                    71 FR 13563
NPRM Comment Period End         06/14/06


Next Action Undetermined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: None

URL For More Information:
www.stb.dot.gov

URL For Public Comments:
www.stb.dot.gov

Agency Contact: Joseph H. Dettmar, Deputy Director, Office of 
Proceedings, Surface Transportation Board, 1925 K Street NW, 
Washington, DC 20423-0001
Phone: 202 565-1609
TDD Phone: 800 877-8339
Fax: 202 565-9002
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 2140-AA80
_______________________________________________________________________




4198. [bull] RAIL FUEL SURCHARGES, STB EX PARTE NO. 661

Priority: Other Significant

Legal Authority: 49 USC 10702(2); 49 USC 721 (b)

CFR Citation: None

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Board is soliciting comments from rail shippers, 
railroads, and other interested parties regarding several proposals 
involving rail fuel surcharges.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Public Hearing                  03/17/06                    71 FR 13896
Public Hearing                  08/10/06                    71 FR 12841
Comment Period End              09/25/06


Next Action Undetermined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: None

URL For More Information:
www.stb.dot.gov

URL For Public Comments:
www.stb.dot.gov

Agency Contact: Joseph H. Dettmar, Deputy Director, Office of 
Proceedings, Surface Transportation Board, 1925 K Street NW, 
Washington, DC 20423-0001
Phone: 202 565-1609
TDD Phone: 800 877-8339
Fax: 202 565-9002
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 2140-AA81

[[Page 74332]]

_______________________________________________________________________




4199. [bull] SIMPLIFIED STANDARDS FOR RAIL RATE CASES, STB EX PARTE NO. 
646 (SUB-NO. 1)

Priority: Other Significant. Major status under 5 USC 801 is 
undetermined.

Legal Authority: 5 USC 559; 49 USC 721; 49 USC 10701(d)(3); 49 USC 
10704; 49 USC 10707; 49 USC 11144; 49 USC 11145; 49 USC 11701

CFR Citation: 49 CFR 1111.1; 49 CFR 1111.4; 49 CRF 1111.9; 49 CFR 
1111.10; 49 CFR 1114.21 to 1114.22; 49 CFR 1114.26; 49 CFR 1114.30 to 
1114.31

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Board is proposing to revise its guidelines for 
determining the reasonableness of challenged rail rates in cases where 
a full stand-alone cost presentation is too costly, given the value of 
the case. The proposed revisions to the guidelines would provide for a 
simplified stand-alone cost procedure for medium-size rate disputes, a 
modified three-benchmark method for small rate disputes, and would 
establish eligibility presumptions based on the maximum value of the 
case. The Board also proposes to amend its procedures for processing 
such rate cases.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            08/02/06                   71 CFR 43703
NPRM Comment Period End         10/01/06


Next Action Undetermined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: None

URL For More Information:
www.stb.dot.gov

URL For Public Comments:
www.stb.dot.gov

Agency Contact: Joseph H. Dettmar, Deputy Director, Office of 
Proceedings, Surface Transportation Board, 1925 K Street NW, 
Washington, DC 20423-0001
Phone: 202 565-1609
TDD Phone: 800 877-8339
Fax: 202 565-9002
Email: [email protected]

Related RIN: Merged with 2140-AA70
RIN: 2140-AA82
_______________________________________________________________________


Surface Transportation Board (STB)                    Completed Actions


  



_______________________________________________________________________




4200. SMALL RATE GUIDELINES, STB EX PARTE NO. 646

Priority: Other Significant

Legal Authority: 49 USC 10701(d)(3)

CFR Citation: 49 CFR 1109; 49 CFR 1114

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Board is seeking comments to revise the Simplified 
Guidelines (Rate Guidelines-Non-Coal Proceedings, 1 STB 1004 (1996)) to 
provide small shippers meaningful access to regulatory relief in cases 
where a full stand-alone cost presentation is too costly.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Notice                          04/07/03                    68 FR 16862
Hearing                         06/29/04                    69 FR 15553
Hearing                         07/02/04                    69 FR 40470
Merged With STB Ex Parte No. 646 
(Sub-No. 1)                     08/02/06

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: None

URL For More Information:
www.stb.dot.gov

URL For Public Comments:
www.stb.dot.gov

Agency Contact: Joseph H. Dettmar, Deputy Director, Office of 
Proceedings, Surface Transportation Board, 1925 K Street NW, 
Washington, DC 20423-0001
Phone: 202 565-1609
TDD Phone: 800 877-8339
Fax: 202 565-9002
Email: [email protected]

Related RIN: Merged with 2140-AA82
RIN: 2140-AA70
_______________________________________________________________________




4201. RAIL RATE CHALLENGES UNDER THE STAND-ALONE COST METHODOLOGY, STB 
EX PARTE NO. 657

Priority: Other Significant

Legal Authority: 49 USC 10701(d); 49 USC 721

CFR Citation: 49 CFR 1111

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Board is soliciting comments, suggestions, and proposals 
from rail shippers, railroads, and other interested parties regarding 
modifications to how the Board considers rail rate reasonableness under 
the stand-alone cost methodology.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Public Hearing                  02/23/05                     70 FR 8874
Hearing Postponed               03/22/05                    70 FR 14493
Public Hearing                  03/22/05                    70 FR 14493
Merged with STB Ex Parte No. 657 
(Sub-No. 1)                     03/03/06

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: None

URL For More Information:
www.stb.dot.gov

URL For Public Comments:
www.stb.dot.gov

Agency Contact: Raymond A. Atkins, Attorney, Surface Transportation 
Board, 1925 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20423-0001
Phone: 202 565-1624
TDD Phone: 800 877-8339
Fax: 202 565-9001
Email: [email protected]

Related RIN: Merged with 2140-AA79
RIN: 2140-AA78
[FR Doc. 06-7700 Filed 12-08-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-S