Amtrak Emergency Routing Orders, 53758 [2015-22543]

Agencies

• Surface Transportation Board
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 173 (Tuesday, September 8, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 53758]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-22543]



[[Page 53758]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

49 CFR Parts 1011, 1034, 1102, 1104, and 1115

[Docket No. EP 697]


Amtrak Emergency Routing Orders

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board.

ACTION: Proposed rule, withdrawn.

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SUMMARY: The Board is withdrawing the proposed rules and discontinuing 
the EP 697 rulemaking proceeding which proposed a formal process for 
the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) to seek emergency 
routing orders. Based on comments received, the Board will continue the 
practice of appointing an individual who can act immediately on behalf 
of the Board.

DATES: The proposed rule is withdrawn and the rulemaking proceeding is 
discontinued on September 8, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gabriel Meyer, (202) 245-0150. 
Assistance for the hearing impaired is available through the Federal 
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at (800) 877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 6, 2011, the Board issued a 
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) seeking public comment on 
regulations concerning Amtrak.\1\ The proposed regulations would 
provide a more formal process for Amtrak to seek emergency routing 
orders over the lines of other railroads and for the Board to issue 
such orders. Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 24308(b), the Board has statutory 
authority to require rail carriers to provide facilities immediately 
when necessary for the movement of Amtrak trains when Amtrak cannot 
operate its trains via normal routings due to rail line closures or 
other emergencies.
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    \1\ The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on January 6, 
2011 (76 FR 766).
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    The Board solicited comments and, on February 7, 2011, The Kansas 
City Southern Railway Company (KCSR), the Association of American 
Railroads (AAR), and Amtrak filed separate comments on the proposed 
rules. On February 22, 2011, KCSR and Amtrak filed separate replies to 
the comments. Amtrak expressed concern that, compared with the informal 
procedures that the Board has historically used, the proposed rules 
would make it more difficult for Amtrak to obtain emergency relief on 
an ``immediate'' basis. KCSR generally opposed the proposed rules, 
claiming that they allow unannounced access to a carrier's track 
without waiting for a reply from the affected carrier. AAR raised a 
similar point to KCSR, and suggested that, to provide greater 
participation by a host carrier, the Board issue a decision within two 
days following Amtrak's submission of an application.
    Based on further consideration of these comments, we believe the 
proposed rules are not practical. Most importantly, the record reveals 
that the rules do not provide the prompt relief mandated by Sec.  
24308(b), which is necessary to handle emergencies that are happening 
in real-time. The comments thus indicate that the proposed rules, 
rather than serving the Board's goal of improving the process, would 
complicate and hinder it. We therefore will not adopt the formal 
process proposed in the NPRM and will continue the past practice of 
appointing a Board staff member who can order access immediately on 
behalf of the Board. Specifically, a staff member in the Office of 
Public Assistance, Governmental Affairs, and Compliance (OPAGAC) can 
respond to emergency rerouting requests via telephone in a timely 
manner and contact appropriate representatives of the involved 
carriers. We are simultaneously issuing a companion decision appointing 
the Director of OPAGAC, or in the Director's absence, a Deputy Director 
to act on behalf of the Board in such circumstances.\2\
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    \2\ Appointment of Agent to Require Emergency Routing of Amtrak 
Passenger Trains, EP 697 (Sub-No. 1) (STB served Sept. 8, 2015).
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    These emergency routing orders allow for the continued operation of 
Amtrak and typically will not address compensation terms. If the 
parties cannot agree on such terms and conditions of access, they can 
subsequently petition the Board to set them. We expect parties to work 
together and with the Director or a Deputy Director of OPAGAC to reach 
a practical and efficient resolution of an access issue during an 
emergency situation.
    This action will not significantly affect either the quality of the 
human environment or the conservation of energy resources.

    Decided: August 31, 2015.

    By the Board, Chairman Elliott, Vice Chairman Begeman, and 
Commissioner Miller.
Brendetta S. Jones,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2015-22543 Filed 9-4-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4915-01-P