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The article focuses on a penalty rule issued by the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) on August 7, 2014 according to which any air carriers or rail carriers that fail to pay hazmat civil penalties will be barred from transporting hazardous materials.

The article reports that about 52 groups including oil companies and railroads has lobbied on the U.S. House of representatives highway bill, passed on July 31, 2014, that transfer funds from the Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) trust fund. It informs that the Petroleum Marketers of America Association has opposed the transfer as it believe that the LUST fund should be used for its intended purpose. Also it mentions that hazardous materials transportation industry has supported the bill.

The article reports on the request of the Institute of Makers of Explosives for the U.S.-Canada Regulatory Cooperation Council to adopt a policy of mutual acceptance for special permits and permits for equivalent level of safety for the transportation of hazardous materials.

The article focuses on the introduction of hazardous materials special permit program by the U.S. Dept. of Transportation (DOT) and states that Inspector General informed Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) about the review process.

The article reports on the emergency special permits issued by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration in the U.S. and mentions that it authorizes the shipment of hazardous materials.

The article informs that a federal surface transportation bill which does not include a provision barring the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) from regulating coal ash under Subtitle C of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act governing hazardous waste management was passed by Congress on June 29, 2012. It mentions that this means that EPA still is free to regulate coal ash as a special waste under Subtitle C assuming Congress does not pass a standalone measure addressing coal ash.

The article reports on the statement of Larry Bierlein of the Association of Hazmat Shippers that the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration's (PHMSA) proposal to revise rules on packaging containing hazardous materials residue could result in significant costs to the industry.

The article reports on the announcement of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection that the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) system must be used by transporters of hazardous materials for transmitting advance information on cargo shipments to customs officials starting September 2012.

The article reports on the move of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration which rejected most appeals on a final rule that requires special permit applications to provide new and more detailed information about their organizations and hazardous materials shipments in the U.S.

The article reports on the proposal by the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration on the prohibition of the transport of hazardous flammable liquids in the external piping of cargo tank trucks in January 2011.

The article reports on the finalization of a U.S. Department of Transportation rule which requires additional and more detailed information on the transport of hazardous materials.

The article reports on the imposition of the finalized rules of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to harmonize domestic hazardous materials transport regulations with international standards in the U.S.

The article reports on the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) meeting, which study the needs associated with the electronic documentation of hazardous material shipping papers. It states that the meeting was conducted to hear feedbacks of responders, forwarders, and agencies regarding the risks with the electronic switch. Meanwhile, the electronic switch program will offer better and immediate communication that will maximize efforts of first responders.

The article reports that U.S. Federal Railroad Administration has increased civil penalties for the violation of rail road safety rules which involve hazardous substances. It notes that the final rule on the civil penalties shall be effective on March 2, 2009. The minimum civil penalty per violation was raised to $650, while ordinary maximum fine was raised to $25,000. It states that the increase is in accordance with the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990.

The article provides the comments from companies and interest groups in the U.S. concerning the package inspection rule. It mentions that the proposed rule will allow the Department of Transportation inspectors to open packages which are suspected to contain hazardous materials. According to the submitted comments, the proposed rule is unclear and could put inspectors and shippers in danger.

The article reports on the new rule concerning the rail carriers in the U.S. which transports hazardous materials. It mentions that the rule requires the rail carriers which are transporting hazardous materials to assess the safest routes for their shipments. It notes that the imposition of the new rule by the Transportation Security Administration aims to enhance rail safety and security.

The article highlights the conference of the Dangerous Goods Advisory Council held in the U.S. on November 6, 2008. According to Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) hazardous materials enforcement director Ryan Posten, the agency uses a variety of enforcement methods and focuses its efforts on minimizing risk, not imposing fines for each and every infraction. He added that PHMSA will continue its focus on working to mitigate risks using an expanding arrays of data.

The article highlights the annual conference of the Dangerous Goods Advisory Council held in the U.S. on November 6, 2008. An official from the National Transportation Safety Board stressed the transportation of dangerous goods is safer than it was 30 years ago but improvements still must be made. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has published a proposed rule that would align regulations on battery shipments with international standards.

The article focuses on the request made by the panelists who testify at a Surface Transportation Board hearing in requiring shippers of toxic-by-inhalation (TIH) materials to share in the costs of liability insurance in the U.S. Representatives of rail companies depicted that a single rail car accident involving the release of TIH materials has the potential to put a railroad company out of business. Rail companies and trade groups emphasized that they were seeking a way to balance the risk.

The article reports that the U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has requested public comments on the problems of packaging and air transportation of nonbulk hazardous liquid containers. PHMSA asks for solutions that would help prevent the leakages and failures of packaging. The agency stresses that failures of packages could possibly result to catastrophic consequences.

The article reports that the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has proposed increasing the registration fee paid by large companies that transport hazardous materials. The fee program funds the Hazardous Materials and Emergency Preparedness grants program and helps in the collection of information about the transport of hazardous materials.

The article reports on the call of the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) National Transportation Safety Board for the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to make DOT recommended practices for preventing spills of hazardous materials during bulk loading and unloading mandatory. The board stresses that the practices will have little effect unless they are included into regulations. The call is in response to the notice of PHMSA on its prosed practices. But respondents said that the practices are unnecessary.

The article provides information on the report "Hazardous Substances Released During Rail Transit--18 States, 2002-200," from the U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). According to the report, about 1.8 million rail carloads of hazardous substances are shipped each year in the U.S. ATSDR said there is a need for all stakeholders in rail safety to develop a system to monitor rail event releases, identify vulnerabilities and promote safer practices and technology.

The article reports on the estimated $880,000 grant provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation in fiscal year 2006 to the National Academies to begin a cooperative research program on hazardous materials transportation issues. An overview of the contract awarded by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration of the department to the Transportation Research Board is offered.

The article reports on the plan of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to revise the list of hazardous materials for which shippers and carriers are required to have security plans. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration explains the importance of reassessing the list after three years experience of the industry and government in identifying security risks associated with transporting specific hazardous materials.

The article reports on a proposed rule by the U.S. Department of Transportation which will require large companies that offer and transport hazardous materials to pay additional fee in 2008 to register with the federal government. A fee of $1,975 will be paid by large businesses for the 2007-2008 registration year, and a fee of $2,975 for the 2008-2009 registration year.

Reports on the notice released by the legal office of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration that they will determine whether federal hazardous materials laws preempt state and local hazmat requirements in the U.S. Decision to transfer the decision making function to the chief counsel.

Presents news briefs related to environmental law in the U.S. as of April 24, 2004. Decision of Robison-Prezioso Inc. to pay the fine to settle charges of hazardous waste disposal and transportation rules violation on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge in California; Imposition of prison sentence on John Chiapperino, owner of Bronx Auto Venture Corp. for his role in an incident where an employee was overcome by petroleum waste fumes inside an underground storage tank.

Reports on the need for railroads to disclose information on toxic materials that they transport to local authorities in the U.S. according to a document released by departments of Homeland Security and Transportation. Special consideration required for the movement of large quantities of toxic materials by rail in proximity to population centers; Objective of the document.

Reports that the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration clarified its rules on the training of shipment personnel to ensure their safety in handling hazardous materials for air transportation. Misconception of packaging, shipping and freight forwarding companies on their role in the shipment of hazardous materials; Mandate made by the 49 CFR 175 for all person who will accept and prepare shipments of hazardous materials; Employees who are required to undergo training under the rule.

Reports on the extension of the deadline for the implementation of a provision of the highway bill that requires Canadian and Mexican drivers who transport hazardous materials in the U.S. to undergo background checks by the Transportation Security Administration. Prohibition under the highway bill on the transportation of hazardous materials by the drivers; Information the highway bill.

Reports on the highway trust funds that will be received by the U.S. Department of Transportation for the study of hazardous materials transport across modes from 2006 until 2009. Provisions of the Safe Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users according to Douglas Reeves, supervisor general engineer for the agency; Other issues addressed by Reeves.

The article reports on the establishment of a working group by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) which will create background check program standards that satisfy the hazardous material background check requirements of the TSA. The working group is also responsible for the elimination of redundancy and duplication in federal background checks.

The article reports on the invitation of the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety for comments on the effectiveness of safety and security measures for the transport and storage of explosives and other highly hazardous materials starting on November 16, 2005. The notice asks for comments on the costs, benefits and effectiveness of the safety measures, their effect on the human environment, and possible incentives to adopt the measures.

The article reports that the U.S. Department of Transportation is considering the benefits, costs and utility of truck-tracking technologies for a proposed security rule for carriers of hazardous materials. At the conference of the Dangerous Goods Advisory Council on November 9-11, 2005 other issues were also addressed including additional security rulemakings, aviation security initiatives under way at the agency, and rules being developed in response to what is known as the highway bill.

The article reports that the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is considering risk-based analyses to determine whether it needs to adopt additional hazardous materials security requirements to modify existing requirements to enhance security. Also being considered is if and to what extent communications and tracking systems should be required for the transport of hazardous materials.

The article focuses on the need for the U.S. Congress to amend the USA Patriot Act to be able to reduce the number of truckers subject to background checks for carrying hazardous materials according to Justin Oberman, assistant director of transportation threat assessment and credentialing of the Transportation Security Administration. The Act requires truck drivers who carry hazardous materials to undergo background checks. The Department of Transportation has also decided to shorten the list of hazardous materials for which truck drivers would be required to have endorsements.

The article reports on a final rule passed by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration that requires air carriers to provide hazardous materials training to employees who perform certain transportation functions. The rule covers all airline employees who perform transportation functions that involve hazardous materials. The rule ensures that industry standards on training for hazardous materials are enforceable by civil penalties under hazardous material rules.

Reports on the National Rail Safety Plan introduced by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta on May 16, 2005. Impact of the plan on the railroad industry; Views of the secretary on his plan; Background on a hazardous material information delivery pilot program to be launched by the Federal Railroad Administration in July.

Focuses on the plans of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to award grants for a pilot program looking at the security benefits of tracking hazardous materials trucks by satellite. Grant awarded by the U.S. Congress in fiscal year 2005 to the Transportation Security Administration of DHS to begin the program; Importance of the program to transportation; Impact of the program on terrorist attacks.

Reports on the regulatory amendments proposed by Transport Canada to harmonize Canadian rules on transportation of dangerous goods with the U.S. rules. Factors that were considered in the amendments; Effect of the amendments on the transportation of dangerous goods regulatory program; List of changes in the proposed amendments.

Reports on the analysis made by the U.S. Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) on the economic effects of its shipping and packing rules for hazardous materials. Transfer of the hazardous materials transport regulatory duties of RSPA to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration; Requirement of the Regulatory Flexibility Act for government agencies; Role of the U.S. Department of Transportation in monitoring the shipment of hazardous materials.

Reports on the replacement of the U.S. Research and Special Programs Administration with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and the Research and Innovative Technology Administration according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Remarks from Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta on the impact of the agencies on the transportation system; Personnel selected in the agencies; Role of PHMSA in monitoring the shipment of hazardous materials in the U.S.

Presents news briefs on issues related to environment in the U.S. as of February 2005. Fines imposed to several insurers, including Lloyd's of London to California to resolve lawsuits over claims for damages at the Stringfellow acid pits in Riverside County; Information on an emergency measure on shipment of hazardous materials approved by the District of Columbia Council.

Reports on the benefits of installing wireless communications with satellite tracking on trucks carrying hazardous materials for the U.S. national security, according to a report published by the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) on January 26, 2005. Significance of government intervention in deploying the technology; Cost of installing the technology; Goal of a test on the implementation of the security technology conducted by the Batelle Memorial Institute for the FMCSA.

Reports on an increase in the budget allocated for the pipeline and hazardous materials safety program of the U.S. Department of Transportation by the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush for the fiscal year 2006. Division of the budget allocated for several areas of the program; Goal of the program for the fiscal year.

Reports on the possible reduction of security threats posed by hazardous materials shipments by using available existing technologies according to a Department of Transportation test as of January 31, 2005. Percentage of the possible reduction of security threats; Overview of the test by the Department of Transportation; Benefits of installing available technologies to hazardous materials carriers.

Reports on the ruling established by the U.S. Department of Transportation requiring hazardous material shippers and transporters to provide an emergency telephone number staffed by a person. Portions of the hazardous materials communication rules that are being addressed by the final rule of the Research and Special Programs Administration; Clarification by the rule on miscellaneous hazardous materials or class 9 materials; Significance of the final rule to emergency responders.

Reports on the clarification made by the U.S. Department of Transportation to a notice of proposed rulemaking subjecting packaging, shipping and freight-forwarding facilities that accept or transport hazardous materials in commerce by air to the hazmat rule. Way by which the proposed rule would encourage greater shipping of hazardous material via cargo plane; Impact of the rule on small aircraft entities and the airline industry; Facilities covered by the hazardous materials regulations.

Reports on the grants awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation to improve hazardous materials transportation incident response. Amount to be received by the Pueblo of Acoma tribe; Number of hazardous materials safety manuals distributed by the agency; Source of the fund for the Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness Grants Program.