May 2023 NRC Bulletin

June 1, 2023

House T&I Committee Holds Markup, Approves 18 Supply Chain-focused Bills, Debt Ceiling Update

On May 23, the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee held a full committee markup, that lasted into the evening. After an all-day markup, the Committee approved 18 bills related to various supply chain issues ranging from truck parking to marine terminals during a marathon markup that lasted into Tuesday evening. 

Chair of the Committee, Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO) said when the package might land on the House floor depends on when the Energy and Commerce Committee takes up their portion of the package. He also said to expect more supply chain-related legislation to receive a vote later this year. In particular, below are a few that are of note:

• H.R. 3372, that would create a five-year opt-in pilot program to allow heavier trucks on interstate highways when they add a sixth axle was approved 33-27.
• H.R. 3318, To amend title 23, United States Code, to establish an axle weight tolerance for certain commercial motor vehicles transporting dry bulk goods, and for other purposes, passed by voice vote.
• H.R. 3316, which seeks to streamline the environmental permitting process by applying the One Federal Decision framework to port, airport and certain pipeline infrastructure projects was adopted by voice vote.

On May 31, the House passed legislation to raise the nation’s borrowing limit through 2024 by a vote of 314-117, sending it to the Senate with less than six days until a June 5 default deadline. This follows the announcement over Memorial Day Weekend that House Republicans and the White House have reached an agreement to raise the debt ceiling. As part of that agreement, several permitting provisions have been included. Of most relevance to the rail industry is the inclusion of section 321, which includes statutory reforms to the National Environmental Policy Act, including project thresholds, interagency coordination and review deadlines to prevent project delay, limits on what qualifies as a major federal action, and limits to prevent agencies from missing statutory deadlines. Specifically:

• Extending the application of One Federal Decision (section 11301 of the IIJA) to include reviews under NEPA of infrastructure projects undertaken by all federal agencies. The benefits of One Federal Decision include, among other things, page limits for NEPA documents, completion targets of no more than two years for environmental impact statements and one year for environmental assessments, joint or coordinated agency approvals, and final agency action from cooperating agencies no later than 90 days after the release of the lead federal agency NEPA decision document. Expanding the application of One Federal Decision is important since DOT and the STB are not often the "lead federal agency" for most rail projects, and NEPA is generally triggered due to resource agency permitting.
• Permitting federal agencies to utilize the categorical exclusions of other federal agencies, including the STB, other modal administrations, and resource agencies, such as the Army Corps of Engineers and the Coast Guard.

NTSB Will Hold Hearing in June, Senate Marks Up Rail Safety Bill

On May 24, The National Transportation Safety Board will hold a two-day investigative hearing in East Palestine, Ohio, on June 22-23, as part of the ongoing investigation into the Feb 3, 2023 derailment in East Palestine, OH. The investigative hearing will focus on:  hazard communications and emergency responder preparedness for the initial emergency response; the circumstances that led to the decision to vent and burn five rail tank cars carrying vinyl chloride; freight car bearing failure modes and wayside detection systems; and tank car derailment damage, crashworthiness and hazardous materials package information.

“The communities most affected by this tragedy deserve as much insight as possible into our investigation, which is why we’re holding an investigative hearing in East Palestine,” said NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy. NTSB investigative hearings gather sworn testimony from witnesses on issues the agency identifies during the investigation. The public is invited to observe the hearing, however only NTSB board members, investigators, scheduled witnesses and parties to the hearing are allowed to participate.

Additionally, on May 10, the US Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Technology held a markup on the S. 576, the Railway Safety Act of 2023. The bill passed through the Committee by a vote of 16-12, with Sen. Vance (R-OH) and Sen. Schmitt (R-MO) joining Senate Democrats in the yes vote. Next steps are uncertain as the bill currently likely does not have enough votes to pass the full Senate in its current form, needing 60 votes to pass. NRC staff will continue to monitor the bill's progress.

Loram Technologies Breaks Ground on New Rail Technology Campus

On May 3, NRC and REMSA member company Loram Technologies, Inc. hosted U.S. Rep. John Carter (TX-31) for a groundbreaking for its new Global Rail Campus. The 92,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Georgetown, Texas will feature corporate offices and rail access. U.S. Rep. Carter currently serves on the House Appropriations Committee, where he is the Chair of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Subcommittee. He also serves on the Defense Subcommittee and Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Subcommittee.

Featured speakers, including Lorman Technologies President Greg Grissom and CEO Bradley Willems, and Georgetown Mayor Josh Schroeder, delivered remarks to more than 100 elected officials, civic and rail industry leaders, and employees who attended the event. “It was terrific hosting Rep. Carter at the groundbreaking of our new facility today and to have the opportunity to share Loram’s story. We take a great deal of price in our company’s story of establishing a strong safety culture and growing our business. It was an honor to share it with Rep. Carter and with our other guests in attendance,” said Nate Bachman, Lorman Technologies vice president of Sales & Business Development. Photographed left is Congressman John Carter (TX-31) during the groundbreaking.

Based in Georgetown, Texas, Loram Technologies creates innovative solutions to help the railroad industry. It has more than 100 employees at its Georgetown facility. Loram Technologies, formerly known as Georgetown Rail Equipment Company (or "GREX"), was acquired by Loram Corporation (Loram) in 2020.To read more about that event, please click here.

Biden-Harris Administration Announces More Than $700 Million in Grants to Replace Aging Passenger Railcars in Six Transit Systems

On May 5, The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA) today announced the selection of six projects in six states to replace aging passenger railcars, improving reliability, safety, and accessibility on the nation's rail transit systems. Funded by the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the approximately $703 million in project selections represents first-time funding from the new Rail Vehicle Replacement Program, which was created to improve safety, service, and the customer experience on subways, commuter rail, and light rail systems. Additionally, the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will invest a total of $1.5 billion in new funding through 2026 for the Rail Vehicle Replacement Program.

A few of the projects selected are:

• The Sacramento Regional Transit District in Sacramento, California, will receive $45.1 million to buy 16 light rail vehicles, which will replace older vehicles that have exceeded their useful life. This investment will improve the agency’s state of good repair needs and improve service and reliability for the region’s 1.7 million residents
• The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) will receive $200 million to buy up to 300 new electric propulsion passenger railcars to replace railcars that have been operating since the 1980s. This project will improve CTA’s state of good repair needs in a fleet where the average age of its railcars is nearly 40 years.
• The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) will receive $130 million to buy 60 new light rail and heavy rail vehicles to replace older vehicles that can operate on both systems, eliminating the need for GCRTA to run two separate fleets. This project will improve system reliability and safety and enhance the agency’s operational flexibility

To read more about the selected projects, please click here.

Metra details 2023 construction program

On May 2, Metra announced that the agency and its railroad and municipal partners are undertaking a comprehensive list of construction projects in 2023 to help ensure that customers can continue to enjoy safe and reliable service. Construction work got underway the first week of April and will continue through the fall, weather permitting. Specifically in 2023, Metra is focusing nearly a quarter of its annual capital spending ($119.5 million) on rebuilding and renewing station facilities.

“Clean, modern, and accessible passenger facilities are an integral part of a good customer experience and create a welcoming gateway to a community,” said Metra Executive Director/CEO Jim Derwinski. “For that reason, our capital plans over the next several years are focused on investments in stations across the Metra system." For example, the Metra Electric Community Initiative, a multiyear plan to improve 13 stations on the line, is prime example of Metra’s focus on connecting to the communities it serves. Work is continuing this year at the 147th St. Station and scheduled to start at six more: Homewood, 95th, 79th, 87th, 103rd and Millennium (South Water entrance). Each project will completely renew station facilities and focus on accessibility features, such as elevators, to ensure people can easily access our system.

In addition to the major station projects listed above, Metra is planning to replace the existing wooden platforms at the 83rd Street and 67th Street stations and the stairs and retaining walls at 27th Street. Major station projects are also being planned in 2024 for the Van Buren, 59th-60th St./University of Chicago, 111th Street/Pullman and Harvey stations. Construction is ongoing at two new stations: the Peterson Ridge Station on the Union Pacific North Line, slated for completion this year, and the Auburn Park Station on the Rock Island Line, scheduled for completion in 2024. To read more, please click here.

NRC Members: NRC Membership Renewal Period Now Open!

It is time to renew your company's NRC 2023 membership! NRC staff emailed your organization's primary contact earlier in February with all corresponding information for your organization's renewal. If your organization was a member in 2022, and you would like to renew or have any questions about renewing or joining in please contact NRC staff at info@nrcma.org.



Not an NRC member and want to access to this and many other membership benefits? Join as an NRC member today!. If you have any questions about joining the NRC, or your organization's current membership status, please simply reply to this email.

NRC Members: Feedback Requested to help NRC Veterans Committee, Education Committee

NRC Members, we would like your feedback to help assist two NRC Committees, the Veterans Committee and Education Committee. In an effort to streamline feedback, we have compiled the below survey:

https://NRCMA.formstack.com/forms/nrc_veteransandeducationfeedback

All of the information gathered in this survey will not be shared widely or disseminated publicly. The survey information is intended only for feedback purposes and to make sure that NRC membership and NRC member benefits are as aligned as possible. 

NRC Members: Upcoming Awards and Application Deadlines Information Coming Soon!

NRC Members, please be on the lookout for upcoming award announcements and deadlines for NRC member awards. For example, the 2023 NRC Scholarship Application and the 2023 NRC Education Grant Application, two separate awards designed for undergraduate students and academic institutions respectively will be announced in the coming weeks. For more information on the 2023 NRC scholarship, please click here. Also, for more information on the 2023 Education Grant Application, please click here.

Additionally, the NRC also has many awards that will open this summer, with the winners and applicants of those awards being recognized at the 2024 NRC Conference from January 3-6, 2024 in Scottsdale, AZ. The award applications for the below list will be announced in the coming months. Each year, the NRC has the following awards:

• The NRC’s annual Safety Awards recognize contractor member companies with exemplary safety performance during the year. Contractors who participate in the awards competition report it provides a means to evaluate and keep their safety programs up to date with industry best practices and also serves as a valuable business development and marketing tool.
• The NRC Railroad Construction Project of the Year Awards recognize exemplary NRC member projects in two categories, the Large Project Category (projects with budgets over $10 million) and the Small Project Category (projects with budgets of $10 million or less). All types of rail construction projects are eligible for the awards and the purpose is to honor innovation, expertise, and quality project management
• The NRC Field Employee of the Year Award recognizes a field employee employed by a contractor member companies who exhibits exemplary performance during the year. The purpose of this award is to recognize and honor the rail contracting employee who has demonstrated the most dedication and excellence in his/her field.
• And last but not least, the second-annual Innovation in Technology Award will honor and recognize innovation and unique technologies, or technological services, created or implemented by an NRC member company. Eligible technologies or related services include grade crossings, RWP, contractor safety, freight rail, industrial track, rail transit, commuter rail, intercity passenger rail, rail on port facilities and rail on military facilities.

Please make sure to visit https://www.nrcma.org/nrc-awards for up-to-date information on the awards and deadlines. If you have any questions at all, please contact NRC staff at info@nrcma.org.

NRC Members: Support Responsible Rail Safety Legislation

NRC Members, Lawmakers in Congress are considering rail safety policy measures but some proposed new regulations would be counterproductive to safety goals and disrupt our supply chain and economy, diverting freight to highways. Rail is already the safest mode of transportation, with 99.9 percent of shipments reaching their destinations with no train accident. The NRC supports GoRail in an effort to inform Congress that imposing unnecessary restrictions to the rail system would hold back technological advancements and divert freight to the highways, disrupting our supply chain and economy.

To send your Representative and Senators an automated email expressing your support, please click here and you will be brought to the GoRail Action Center to enter your name and address. The system then automatically links you with your respective Members of Congress.

Contractors help railroads get back on track after natural disasters

Eighteen separate weather events causing at least $1 billion in damage occurred last year in the United States, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information "2022 Billion-dollar Weather and Climate Disasters" report. Among railroads that faced the worst weather-related damage in 2022 was the Seminole Gulf Railway (SGLR), a southwest Florida short line. SGLR’s operations were effectively shut down when Ian tore through the region in late September 2022 and the railroad has continued to rebuild since. Infrastructure and equipment that was damaged or destroyed included six rail bridges, 7,000 feet of track, a locomotive barn, storage trailers, motive power and heavy machinery. With so much destruction to rail infrastructure of late, rail industry contractors have been busy providing emergency recovery and repair services. Make sure to check out this Progressive Railroading article that features NRC Members B&P Enterprises, Hulcher Services, and R.J. Corman Railroad Services.

Honolulu's transit-rail service to launch June 30

During the week of May 15, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiard announced that on June 30 the long-awaited Honolulu transit-rail system will begin passenger operations on an 11-mile stretch between the East Kapolei Station and Aloha Stadium stations. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation-operated system is the first passenger-rail service in the city. With construction beginning in 2011, the $8 billion project has been plagued by multiple delays, cost overruns and changes in executive leadership. In late August 2022, HART began the trial-run testing phase for the first operating segment. The rail line’s second leg is expected to be ready for service in 2031.

Amtrak Advances Plans for New Maintenance Facilities

On May 9, Amtrak announced multiple upcoming procurement packages for new support facilities in Seattle, Boston, New York City, and Washington, D.C. These new and renovated facilities will improve trainset maintenance and repairs, inspection and cleaning for Amtrak’s existing and future fleet. In addition to these four maintenance facilities, additional sites are also planned. That includes one in Philadelphia currently in procurement with an active Request for Proposals. Each site will house various facilities, such as: heavy maintenance, maintenance & inspections, and service & cleaning. Additional information is available in the “Advance Notice to the Construction Industry” published on Amtrak’s Procurement Portal, which interested companies are encouraged to regularly monitor for the latest updates.