Quarterly Rail Cost Adjustment Factor, 59093-59095 [2013-23338]
Download as PDF
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 186 / Wednesday, September 25, 2013 / Notices
certified by their original manufacturer
(Alpina), as conforming to all applicable
FMVSS, they cannot be categorized as
‘‘substantially similar’’ to the vehicle
that is the subject of the petition at issue
for the purpose of establishing import
eligibility for that vehicle under 49
U.S.C. 30141(a)(1)(A). Therefore, the
agency will consider 101 Innovation’s
petition as a petition pursuant to 49
U.S.C. 30141(a)(1)(B).
101 Innovations submitted
information with its petition intended to
demonstrate that non-U.S. certified
1988–1996 Alpina B10 passenger cars,
as originally manufactured, conform to
many FMVSS. Specifically, the
petitioner claims that non-U.S. certified
1988–1996 Alpina B10 passenger cars,
as originally manufactured, conform to:
Standard Nos. 102 Transmission Shift
Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and
Transmission Braking Effect, 103
Windshield Defrosting and Defogging
Systems, 104 Windshield Wiping and
Washing Systems, 105 Hydraulic and
Electric Brake Systems, 106 Brake
Hoses, 107 Reflective Surfaces, 109 New
Pneumatic Tires, 113 Hood Latch
System, 116 Motor Vehicle Brake Fluids,
124 Accelerator Control Systems, 201
Occupant Protection in Interior Impact,
202 Head Restraints, 204 Steering
Control Rearward Displacement, 205
Glazing Materials, 206 Door Locks and
Door Retention Components, 207
Seating Systems, 210 Seat Belt
Assembly Anchorages, 211 Wheel Nuts,
Wheel Disks, and Hub Caps, 212
Windshield Mounting, 214 Side Impact
Protection, 216 Roof Crush Resistance,
219 Windshield Zone Intrusion, 301
Fuel System Integrity, and 302
Flammability of Interior Materials.
The petitioner also contends that the
vehicles are capable of being readily
altered to meet the following standards,
in the manner indicated:
Standard No. 101 Controls and
Displays: replacement of the instrument
cluster with components from the U.S.model BMW E34 5-series and
reprogramming the vehicle computer to
operate the necessary safety systems.
Standard No. 108 Lamps, Reflective
Devices, and Associated Equipment:
replacement of the headlamps and front
and rear marker lights with components
from the U.S.-model BMW E34 5-series,
and installation of the high-mounted
stop light assembly from the U.S.-model
BMW E34 5-series.
Standard No. 110 Tire Selection and
Rims for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR
of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) or
Less: installation of a tire information
placard.
Standard No. 111 Rearview Mirrors:
replacement of the passenger side
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:20 Sep 24, 2013
Jkt 229001
rearview mirror with a component from
the U.S.-model BMW E34 5-series or
inscription of the required warning
statement on the face of that mirror.
Standard No. 114 Theft Protection
and Rollaway Prevention: activation of
occupant warning chime by
reprogramming vehicle modules and
inspection and replacement of ignition
switch with component from the U.S.model BMW E34 5-series if necessary to
incorporate key detection micro switch.
Standard No. 115 Vehicle
Identification Number: installation of a
VIN plate near the left windshield
pillar.
Standard No. 118 Power-operated
Window, Partition, and Roof Panel
Systems: inspection of early models of
these vehicles for remote activation
devices that exceed the distance
limitations of this standard. Systems not
conforming to this standard will be
disabled to achieve conformity.
Standard No. 208 Occupant Crash
Protection: installation of airbag system
components from the U.S.-model BMW
E34 5-series as necessary. Installation of
driver and/or passenger knee bolsters
that conform to the requirements of this
standard.
Standard No. 209 Seat Belt
Assemblies: inspection of seat belt
assemblies and replacement of any nonconforming components with U.S.model BMW E34 5-series components.
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 30141(a)(1)(A),
(a)(1)(B), and (b)(1); 49 CFR 593.7; delegation
of authority at 49 CFR 1.95 and 501.8.
Claude H. Harris,
Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2013–23358 Filed 9–24–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–59–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Surface Transportation Board
[Docket No. EP 290 (Sub-No. 5) (2013–4)]
Quarterly Rail Cost Adjustment Factor
AGENCY:
Surface Transportation Board,
DOT
ACTION:
Approval of rail cost adjustment
factor.
The Board has approved the
fourth quarter 2013 rail cost adjustment
factor (RCAF) and cost index filed by
the Association of American Railroads.
The fourth quarter 2013 RCAF
(Unadjusted) is 0.975. The fourth
quarter 2013 RCAF (Adjusted) is 0.423.
The fourth quarter 2012 RCAF–5 is
0.399.
SUMMARY:
DATES:
PO 00000
Effective Date: October 1, 2013.
Frm 00103
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
59093
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Pedro Ramirez, (202) 245–0333. Federal
Information Relay Service (FIRS) for the
hearing impaired: (800) 877–8339.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In
Railroad Cost Recovery Procedures, 1
I.C.C. 2d 207 (1984), the Interstate
Commerce Commission (ICC) outlined
the procedures for calculating the allinclusive index of railroad input prices
and the method for computing the rail
cost adjustment factor (RCAF). Under
the procedures, the Association of
American Railroads (AAR) is required to
calculate the index on a quarterly basis
and submit it to the agency on the fifth
day of the last month of each calendar
quarter. In Railroad Cost Recovery
Procedures—Productivity Adjustment, 5
I.C.C. 2d 434 (1989), aff’d sub nom.
Edison Electric Institute v. ICC, 969 F.2d
1221 (D.C. Cir. 1992), the ICC adopted
procedures that require the adjustment
of the quarterly index for a measure of
productivity.
The provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10708
direct the Surface Transportation Board
(Board) to continue to publish both an
unadjusted RCAF and a productivityadjusted RCAF. In Productivity
Adjustment—Implementation, 1 S.T.B.
739 (1996), the Board decided to
publish a second productivity-adjusted
RCAF called the RCAF–5.
Consequently, three indices are now
filed with the Board: the RCAF
(Unadjusted); the RCAF (Adjusted); and
the RCAF–5. The RCAF (Unadjusted) is
an index reflecting cost changes
experienced by the railroad industry,
without reference to changes in rail
productivity. The RCAF (Adjusted) is an
index that reflects national average
productivity changes as originally
developed and applied by the ICC, the
calculation of which is currently based
on a 5-year moving average. The RCAF–
5 is an index that also reflects national
average productivity changes; however,
those productivity changes are
calculated as if a 5-year moving average
had been applied consistently from the
productivity adjustment’s inception in
1989.
The index of railroad input prices,
RCAF (Unadjusted), RCAF (Adjusted),
and RCAF–5 for the fourth quarter of
2013 are shown in Table A of the
Appendix to this decision. Table B
shows the second quarter 2013 index
and the RCAF calculated on both an
actual and a forecasted basis. The
difference between the actual
calculation and the forecasted
calculation is the forecast error
adjustment.
The weights for each major cost
component of the all-inclusive cost
E:\FR\FM\25SEN1.SGM
25SEN1
59094
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 186 / Wednesday, September 25, 2013 / Notices
index, on which the RCAF is based, are
updated annually in order to reflect the
changing mix of index components. See
49 U.S.C. 10708. This includes
rebenchmarking the wages and
supplemental rates used in the labor
index in the fourth quarter of each year.
The weights used by AAR are based on
the distribution of railway expenses for
the year 2012. Similarly, AAR has used
wage and supplemental rates for the
year 2012 to calculate hourly labor rates
that reflect the changing mix of
employees.
In a decision served July 25, 2013,1
the Board directed BNSF Railway
Company (BNSF) to refile its R–1 report
for 2010, 2011, and 2012, 60 days after
the decision’s August 24, 2013 effective
date (October 23, 2013). In July 2013,
Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP)
submitted to the Board its own revised
R–1 Schedules 210 and 510 for the years
2010, 2011, and 2012, to correct certain
errors, yet AAR notes that it used only
the corrected data from 2012 to
calculate the new weights and interest
index herein because BNSF’s data were
not yet available. This is not, however,
our preferred approach, which is to use
all available data to generate the most
accurate calculation at any given time.
While BNSF’s anticipated R–1
resubmission may require further
adjustments to the RCAF calculation, all
known errors in the relevant data
should have been addressed in the
current filing. However, the Board
understands that its publication of the
RCAF figures in a timely fashion is
important to a number of interested
parties, and hence, in this instance, the
Board will rely on the AAR for this
calculation. While AAR states that it
plans to examine the changes to all
indexes once it has BNSF’s revisions,
AAR is directed to use all the data
available to it at the time it submits its
quarterly calculations. Therefore, we
will direct AAR to make the adjustment
for the UP 2010, 2011, and 2012 interest
expense restatement, to the extent not
already made, in its next quarterly
submission.2
We have examined AAR’s
calculations, including its reweighting
and rebenchmarking calculations, and
we find that AAR has complied with
our procedures with respect to the
available data for 2012. We find that the
fourth quarter 2013 RCAF (Unadjusted)
is 0.975, a decrease of 0.2% from the
third quarter 2013 RCAF of 0.977. The
RCAF (Adjusted) is calculated, in part,
using the RCAF (Unadjusted) and a 5year moving geometric average of
productivity change for U.S. Class I
railroads from 2007–2011, which is
1.009 (0.9% per year). We find the
RCAF (Adjusted) is 0.423, a decrease of
0.5% from the previously reported third
quarter 2013 RCAF (Adjusted) of 0.425.3
In accordance with Productivity
Adjustment—Implementation, 1 S.T.B.
at 748–49, the RCAF–5 for this quarter
will use a productivity trend for the
years 2006–2010, which is 1.008 (0.8%
per year). We find the RCAF–5 for the
fourth quarter of 2013 is 0.399, a
decrease of 0.5% from the previously
reported third quarter 2013 RCAF–5 of
0.401.4
This decision will not significantly
affect the quality of the human
environment or the conservation of
energy resources.
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 10708.
By the Board, Chairman Elliott, Vice
Chairman Begeman, and Commisioner
Mulvey.
Decided: September 19, 2013.
Derrick A. Gardner,
Clearance Clerk.
Appendix
TABLE A—EP 290 (SUB-NO. 5) (2013–4)—ALL INCLUSIVE INDEX OF RAILROAD INPUT COSTS
[Endnotes following Table B]
Line No.
Index component
2012 Weight
(percent)
1 .............
2 .............
3 .............
4 .............
5 .............
6 .............
7 .............
8 .............
9 .............
10 ...........
11 ...........
12 ...........
13 ...........
14 ...........
LABOR .................................................................................................................
FUEL ....................................................................................................................
MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES .............................................................................
EQUIPMENT RENTS ..........................................................................................
DEPRECIATION ..................................................................................................
INTEREST ...........................................................................................................
OTHER ITEMS i ...................................................................................................
WEIGHTED AVERAGE .......................................................................................
LINKED INDEX ii ..................................................................................................
PRELIMINARY RAIL COST ADJUSTMENT FACTOR iii ....................................
FORECAST ERROR ADJUSTMENT iv ...............................................................
RCAF (UNADJUSTED) (LINE 10 + LINE 11) .....................................................
RCAF (ADJUSTED) ............................................................................................
RCAF–5 ...............................................................................................................
Third quarter
2013 forecast
31.2
22.4
4.9
5.6
12.1
1.9
21.9
100.0
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
390.4
375.6
264.2
208.0
218.9
92.9
221.4
307.3
294.3
98.9
¥0.012
0.977
0.425
0.401
Fourth quarter
2013 forecast
385.8
399.6
261.4
207.7
221.0
73.5
220.0
310.6
297.5
100.0
¥0.025
0.975
0.423
0.399
TABLE B—EP 290 (SUB-NO. 5) (2013–4)—COMPARISON OF SECOND QUARTER 2013 INDEX CALCULATED ON BOTH A
FORECASTED AND AN ACTUAL BASIS
2011
Weight
(percent)
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Line No.
Index
component
1 .............
LABOR ....................................................................................................................
1 Western Coal Traffic League—Petition for
Declaratory Order, FD 35506, slip op. at 2.
2 Interested parties may submit a petition for
reconsideration to propose alternative approaches
for addressing the need to correct for restated data
while awaiting further modifications.
3 The fourth quarter 2013 RCAF Adjusted (0.423)
is calculated by dividing the fourth quarter 2013
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:20 Sep 24, 2013
Jkt 229001
RCAF Unadjusted (0.975) by the fourth quarter
productivity adjustment factor of 2.3059. The fourth
quarter 2013 productivity adjustment factor is
calculated by multiplying the third quarter 2013
productivity adjustment of 2.3008 by the fourth root
(1.0022) of the 2007–2011 annual average
productivity growth rate of 0.9%.
PO 00000
Frm 00104
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
31.3
Second
quarter
2013
forecast
384.9
Second
quarter
2013
actual
384.9
4 The fourth quarter 2013 RCAF–5 (0.399) is
calculated by dividing the fourth quarter 2013
RCAF Unadjusted (0.975) by the fourth quarter
productivity adjustment factor-5 (PAF–5) of 2.4426.
The fourth quarter 2013 PAF–5 is calculated by
multiplying the third quarter 2013 PAF–5 of 2.4377
by the fourth root (1.0020) of the 2006–2010 annual
average productivity growth rate of 0.8%.
E:\FR\FM\25SEN1.SGM
25SEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 186 / Wednesday, September 25, 2013 / Notices
59095
TABLE B—EP 290 (SUB-NO. 5) (2013–4)—COMPARISON OF SECOND QUARTER 2013 INDEX CALCULATED ON BOTH A
FORECASTED AND AN ACTUAL BASIS—Continued
Line No.
Index
component
2011
Weight
(percent)
2 .............
3 .............
4 .............
5 .............
6 .............
7 .............
8 .............
9 .............
10 ...........
FUEL .......................................................................................................................
MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES ................................................................................
EQUIPMENT RENTS ..............................................................................................
DEPRECIATION .....................................................................................................
INTEREST ...............................................................................................................
OTHER ITEMS ........................................................................................................
WEIGHTED AVERAGE ..........................................................................................
LINKED INDEX .......................................................................................................
RAIL COST ADJUSTMENT FACTOR ....................................................................
22.5
5.1
5.6
11.6
2.5
21.4
100.0
........................
........................
i ‘‘Other Items’’ is a combination of
Purchased Services, Casualties and
Insurance, General and Administrative, Other
iii The first quarter 2013 RCAF was rebased
using the October 1, 2012 level of 297.5 in
accordance with the requirements of the
Staggers Rail Act of 1980 (10/1/2012 = 100).
iv The fourth quarter 2013 forecast error
adjustment was calculated as follows: (a)
Second quarter 2013 RCAF using forecasted
data equals 100.3; (b) second quarter 2013
RCAF using actual data equals 97.8; (c) the
difference equals the forecast error (b ¥ a) of
¥2.5. Because the actual second quarter
value is less than the forecast value, the
difference is subtracted from the Preliminary
RCAF.
[FR Doc. 2013–23338 Filed 9–24–13; 8:45 a.m.]
BILLING CODE 4915–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Office of the Comptroller of the
Currency
Agency Information Collection
Activities: Information Collection
Renewal; Submission for OMB Review;
Guidance on Sound Incentive
Compensation Practices
Office of the Comptroller of the
Currency (OCC), Treasury.
ACTION: Notice and request for comment.
AGENCY:
The OCC, as part of its
continuing effort to reduce paperwork
SUMMARY:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:20 Sep 24, 2013
Jkt 229001
404.3
261.0
206.9
219.6
92.9
220.2
311.3
298.5
100.3
Second
quarter
2013
actual
373.1
261.0
207.0
218.8
92.9
219.4
304.0
290.9
97.8
Taxes, Loss and Damage, and Special
Charges, price changes for all of which are
measured by the Producer Price Index for
Industrial Commodities Less Fuel and
Related Products and Power.
ii Linking is necessitated by a change to the
2012 weights beginning in the fourth quarter
of 2013. The following formula was used for
the current quarter’s index:
and respondent burden, invites the
general public and other Federal
agencies to comment on the renewal of
an information collection, as required
by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
(PRA). An agency may not conduct or
sponsor, and a respondent is not
required to respond to, an information
collection unless it displays a currently
valid Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) control number. The OCC is
soliciting comment concerning renewal
of an information collection titled,
‘‘Guidance on Sound Incentive
Compensation Practices.’’ The OCC is
also giving notice that it has sent the
collection to OMB for review.
DATES: Written comments should be
submitted by October 25, 2013.
ADDRESSES: Because paper mail in the
Washington, DC area and at the OCC is
subject to delay, commenters are
encouraged to submit comments by
email if possible. Comments may be
sent to: Legislative and Regulatory
Activities Division, Office of the
Comptroller of the Currency, Attention:
1557–0245, 400 7th Street SW., Suite
3E–218, Mail Stop 9W–11, Washington,
DC 20219. In addition, comments may
be sent by fax to (571) 465–4326 or by
electronic mail to
regs.comments@occ.treas.gov. You may
personally inspect and photocopy
comments at the OCC, 400 7th Street
SW., Washington, DC 20219. For
security reasons, the OCC requires that
visitors make an appointment to inspect
comments. You may do so by calling
(202) 649–6700. Upon arrival, visitors
will be required to present valid
government-issued photo identification
and to submit to security screening in
order to inspect and photocopy
comments.
All comments received, including
attachments and other supporting
materials, are part of the public record
and subject to public disclosure. Do not
enclose any information in your
comment or supporting materials that
you consider confidential or
inappropriate for public disclosure.
Additionally, please send a copy of
your comments by mail to: OCC Desk
Officer, 1557–0245, U.S. Office of
Management and Budget, 725 17th
Street NW., #10235, Washington, DC
20503, or by email to: oira
submission@omb.eop.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: You
can request additional information or a
copy of the collection from Johnny
Vilela or Mary H. Gottlieb, OCC
Clearance Officers, (202) 649–5490,
Legislative and Regulatory Activities
PO 00000
Frm 00105
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
E:\FR\FM\25SEN1.SGM
25SEN1
EN25SE13.001
Endnotes:
Second
quarter
2013
forecast
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 186 (Wednesday, September 25, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59093-59095]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-23338]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Surface Transportation Board
[Docket No. EP 290 (Sub-No. 5) (2013-4)]
Quarterly Rail Cost Adjustment Factor
AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board, DOT
ACTION: Approval of rail cost adjustment factor.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Board has approved the fourth quarter 2013 rail cost
adjustment factor (RCAF) and cost index filed by the Association of
American Railroads. The fourth quarter 2013 RCAF (Unadjusted) is 0.975.
The fourth quarter 2013 RCAF (Adjusted) is 0.423. The fourth quarter
2012 RCAF-5 is 0.399.
DATES: Effective Date: October 1, 2013.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pedro Ramirez, (202) 245-0333. Federal
Information Relay Service (FIRS) for the hearing impaired: (800) 877-
8339.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In Railroad Cost Recovery Procedures, 1
I.C.C. 2d 207 (1984), the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) outlined
the procedures for calculating the all-inclusive index of railroad
input prices and the method for computing the rail cost adjustment
factor (RCAF). Under the procedures, the Association of American
Railroads (AAR) is required to calculate the index on a quarterly basis
and submit it to the agency on the fifth day of the last month of each
calendar quarter. In Railroad Cost Recovery Procedures--Productivity
Adjustment, 5 I.C.C. 2d 434 (1989), aff'd sub nom. Edison Electric
Institute v. ICC, 969 F.2d 1221 (D.C. Cir. 1992), the ICC adopted
procedures that require the adjustment of the quarterly index for a
measure of productivity.
The provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10708 direct the Surface Transportation
Board (Board) to continue to publish both an unadjusted RCAF and a
productivity-adjusted RCAF. In Productivity Adjustment--Implementation,
1 S.T.B. 739 (1996), the Board decided to publish a second
productivity-adjusted RCAF called the RCAF-5. Consequently, three
indices are now filed with the Board: the RCAF (Unadjusted); the RCAF
(Adjusted); and the RCAF-5. The RCAF (Unadjusted) is an index
reflecting cost changes experienced by the railroad industry, without
reference to changes in rail productivity. The RCAF (Adjusted) is an
index that reflects national average productivity changes as originally
developed and applied by the ICC, the calculation of which is currently
based on a 5-year moving average. The RCAF-5 is an index that also
reflects national average productivity changes; however, those
productivity changes are calculated as if a 5-year moving average had
been applied consistently from the productivity adjustment's inception
in 1989.
The index of railroad input prices, RCAF (Unadjusted), RCAF
(Adjusted), and RCAF-5 for the fourth quarter of 2013 are shown in
Table A of the Appendix to this decision. Table B shows the second
quarter 2013 index and the RCAF calculated on both an actual and a
forecasted basis. The difference between the actual calculation and the
forecasted calculation is the forecast error adjustment.
The weights for each major cost component of the all-inclusive cost
[[Page 59094]]
index, on which the RCAF is based, are updated annually in order to
reflect the changing mix of index components. See 49 U.S.C. 10708. This
includes rebenchmarking the wages and supplemental rates used in the
labor index in the fourth quarter of each year. The weights used by AAR
are based on the distribution of railway expenses for the year 2012.
Similarly, AAR has used wage and supplemental rates for the year 2012
to calculate hourly labor rates that reflect the changing mix of
employees.
In a decision served July 25, 2013,\1\ the Board directed BNSF
Railway Company (BNSF) to refile its R-1 report for 2010, 2011, and
2012, 60 days after the decision's August 24, 2013 effective date
(October 23, 2013). In July 2013, Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP)
submitted to the Board its own revised R-1 Schedules 210 and 510 for
the years 2010, 2011, and 2012, to correct certain errors, yet AAR
notes that it used only the corrected data from 2012 to calculate the
new weights and interest index herein because BNSF's data were not yet
available. This is not, however, our preferred approach, which is to
use all available data to generate the most accurate calculation at any
given time. While BNSF's anticipated R-1 resubmission may require
further adjustments to the RCAF calculation, all known errors in the
relevant data should have been addressed in the current filing.
However, the Board understands that its publication of the RCAF figures
in a timely fashion is important to a number of interested parties, and
hence, in this instance, the Board will rely on the AAR for this
calculation. While AAR states that it plans to examine the changes to
all indexes once it has BNSF's revisions, AAR is directed to use all
the data available to it at the time it submits its quarterly
calculations. Therefore, we will direct AAR to make the adjustment for
the UP 2010, 2011, and 2012 interest expense restatement, to the extent
not already made, in its next quarterly submission.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Western Coal Traffic League--Petition for Declaratory Order,
FD 35506, slip op. at 2.
\2\ Interested parties may submit a petition for reconsideration
to propose alternative approaches for addressing the need to correct
for restated data while awaiting further modifications.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
We have examined AAR's calculations, including its reweighting and
rebenchmarking calculations, and we find that AAR has complied with our
procedures with respect to the available data for 2012. We find that
the fourth quarter 2013 RCAF (Unadjusted) is 0.975, a decrease of 0.2%
from the third quarter 2013 RCAF of 0.977. The RCAF (Adjusted) is
calculated, in part, using the RCAF (Unadjusted) and a 5-year moving
geometric average of productivity change for U.S. Class I railroads
from 2007-2011, which is 1.009 (0.9% per year). We find the RCAF
(Adjusted) is 0.423, a decrease of 0.5% from the previously reported
third quarter 2013 RCAF (Adjusted) of 0.425.\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ The fourth quarter 2013 RCAF Adjusted (0.423) is calculated
by dividing the fourth quarter 2013 RCAF Unadjusted (0.975) by the
fourth quarter productivity adjustment factor of 2.3059. The fourth
quarter 2013 productivity adjustment factor is calculated by
multiplying the third quarter 2013 productivity adjustment of 2.3008
by the fourth root (1.0022) of the 2007-2011 annual average
productivity growth rate of 0.9%.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In accordance with Productivity Adjustment--Implementation, 1
S.T.B. at 748-49, the RCAF-5 for this quarter will use a productivity
trend for the years 2006-2010, which is 1.008 (0.8% per year). We find
the RCAF-5 for the fourth quarter of 2013 is 0.399, a decrease of 0.5%
from the previously reported third quarter 2013 RCAF-5 of 0.401.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ The fourth quarter 2013 RCAF-5 (0.399) is calculated by
dividing the fourth quarter 2013 RCAF Unadjusted (0.975) by the
fourth quarter productivity adjustment factor-5 (PAF-5) of 2.4426.
The fourth quarter 2013 PAF-5 is calculated by multiplying the third
quarter 2013 PAF-5 of 2.4377 by the fourth root (1.0020) of the
2006-2010 annual average productivity growth rate of 0.8%.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
This decision will not significantly affect the quality of the
human environment or the conservation of energy resources.
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 10708.
By the Board, Chairman Elliott, Vice Chairman Begeman, and
Commisioner Mulvey.
Decided: September 19, 2013.
Derrick A. Gardner,
Clearance Clerk.
Appendix
Table A--EP 290 (Sub-No. 5) (2013-4)--All Inclusive Index of Railroad Input Costs
[Endnotes following Table B]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2012 Weight Third quarter Fourth quarter
Line No. Index component (percent) 2013 forecast 2013 forecast
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1............................. LABOR........................... 31.2 390.4 385.8
2............................. FUEL............................ 22.4 375.6 399.6
3............................. MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES.......... 4.9 264.2 261.4
4............................. EQUIPMENT RENTS................. 5.6 208.0 207.7
5............................. DEPRECIATION.................... 12.1 218.9 221.0
6............................. INTEREST........................ 1.9 92.9 73.5
7............................. OTHER ITEMS \i\................. 21.9 221.4 220.0
8............................. WEIGHTED AVERAGE................ 100.0 307.3 310.6
9............................. LINKED INDEX \ii\............... .............. 294.3 297.5
10............................ PRELIMINARY RAIL COST ADJUSTMENT .............. 98.9 100.0
FACTOR \iii\.
11............................ FORECAST ERROR ADJUSTMENT \iv\.. .............. -0.012 -0.025
12............................ RCAF (UNADJUSTED) (LINE 10 + .............. 0.977 0.975
LINE 11).
13............................ RCAF (ADJUSTED)................. .............. 0.425 0.423
14............................ RCAF-5.......................... .............. 0.401 0.399
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table B--EP 290 (Sub-No. 5) (2013-4)--Comparison of Second Quarter 2013 Index Calculated on Both a Forecasted
and an Actual Basis
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2011 Weight Second quarter Second quarter
Line No. Index component (percent) 2013 forecast 2013 actual
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1............................. LABOR........................... 31.3 384.9 384.9
[[Page 59095]]
2............................. FUEL............................ 22.5 404.3 373.1
3............................. MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES.......... 5.1 261.0 261.0
4............................. EQUIPMENT RENTS................. 5.6 206.9 207.0
5............................. DEPRECIATION.................... 11.6 219.6 218.8
6............................. INTEREST........................ 2.5 92.9 92.9
7............................. OTHER ITEMS..................... 21.4 220.2 219.4
8............................. WEIGHTED AVERAGE................ 100.0 311.3 304.0
9............................. LINKED INDEX.................... .............. 298.5 290.9
10............................ RAIL COST ADJUSTMENT FACTOR..... .............. 100.3 97.8
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Endnotes:
\i\ ``Other Items'' is a combination of Purchased Services,
Casualties and Insurance, General and Administrative, Other Taxes,
Loss and Damage, and Special Charges, price changes for all of which
are measured by the Producer Price Index for Industrial Commodities
Less Fuel and Related Products and Power.
\ii\ Linking is necessitated by a change to the 2012 weights
beginning in the fourth quarter of 2013. The following formula was
used for the current quarter's index:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN25SE13.001
\iii\ The first quarter 2013 RCAF was rebased using the October
1, 2012 level of 297.5 in accordance with the requirements of the
Staggers Rail Act of 1980 (10/1/2012 = 100).
\iv\ The fourth quarter 2013 forecast error adjustment was
calculated as follows: (a) Second quarter 2013 RCAF using forecasted
data equals 100.3; (b) second quarter 2013 RCAF using actual data
equals 97.8; (c) the difference equals the forecast error (b - a) of
-2.5. Because the actual second quarter value is less than the
forecast value, the difference is subtracted from the Preliminary
RCAF.
[FR Doc. 2013-23338 Filed 9-24-13; 8:45 a.m.]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P