The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has launched a “regulatory sprint,” a term that describes eliminating or changing nearly 200 safety regulations that provide safeguards for the rail industry, its workers, and the communities they serve.
Under direction from the White House, the DOT has eliminated regulations it considers to be obsolete, and is seeking to weaken others to “reduce the regulatory burden” on the rail industry.
Some of these changes were classified as direct final rules, in which the DOT invoked an exemption under the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) to eliminate or change the rules without public comment. Despite this, BLET will notify FRA anytime a rule is published that would curb safe rail operations.
Other proposed changes listed by the DOT have been made subject to public review and comment.
The DOT and FRA have never proposed this many rule changes at once, and at the same time have imposed an abbreviated period for response. Most proposed changed were published in the Federal Register on July 1 and the deadline for all comments is September 2. Given the sheer number, BLET will prioritize responding to the most important rules from a locomotive engineer and operating craft perspective.
The BLET is examining 57 final and proposed regulatory changes to the Federal Railroad Administration; 46 actions under the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration; and 26 actions under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.