Congress is in the final stages of writing legislation that could ban so-called “wetlines” on petroleum trailers used to haul flammable materials. A decision on this proposal is expected by the end of June, so action is needed now, according to the National Tank Truck Carriers (NTTC).
This legislation essentially addresses a problem that doesn’t really exist. It would impose unreasonable new costs and technologies on the operations of petroleum haulers and petroleum terminals. Unfortunately, it could become law by September if members of this industry don’t act now.
Advocates of such a ban are trying to accomplish through congressional legislation what they were twice not able to do through the regulatory process. This decision, regrettably, will be made likely on politics, not on facts. It is essential that you contact your congressional representatives and ask them to vote against any proposal to ban “wetlines” on petroleum cargo tanks.
The NTTC is working with other industry groups to educate Congress on why such a ban is not only not needed, but also could be counterproductive to safety if more than 25,000 flammable petroleum trailers are brought into shops for retrofitting with whatever systems might be developed to comply with the mandate. Contact the NTTC at 703/838-1960 or visit www.tanktruck.org for more details to include in your calls or letters to Congress.
It is especially important for you to act immediately if your congressman is on the Rails, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee where the proposal is originating. You can find more information on this committee, including phone numbers.
Subcommittee members include:
•Corrine Brown, Florida, Chairwoman
•Dina Titus, Nevada
•Harry Teague, New Mexico
•Nick J Rahall II, West Virginia
•Jerrold Nadler, New York
•Elijah E Cummings, Maryland
•Grace F Napolitano, California
•Jason Altmire, Pennsylvania
•Timothy J Walz, Minnesota
•Michael A Arcuri, New York
•Christopher P Carney, Pennsylvania
•Albio Sires, New Jersey
•Mark H Schauer, Michigan
•Betsy Markey, Colorado
•Michael E McMahon, New York
•Thomas S P Perriello, Virginia
•Peter A DeFazio, Oregon
•Jerry F Costello, Illinois
•Bob Filner, California
•Eddie Bernice Johnson, Texas
•Leonard L Boswell, Iowa
•Rick Larsen, Washington
•Michael H Michaud, Maine
•Daniel Lipinski, Illinois
•Steve Cohen, Tennessee
•Laura A Richardson, California
•James L Oberstar, Minnesota (ex officio)
•Bill Shuster, Pennsylvania, Ranking Member
•Thomas E Petri, Wisconsin
•Jerry Moran, Kansas
•Gary G Miller, California
•Henry E Brown, South Carolina
•Timothy V Johnson, Illinois
•Sam Graves, Missouri
•Jim Gerlach, Pennsylvania
•Charles W Dent, Pennsylvania
•Lynn A Westmoreland, Georgia
•Jean Schmidt, Ohio
•Candice S Miller, Michigan
•Vern Buchanan, Florida
•Robert E Latta, Ohio
•Brett Guthrie, Kentucky
•Aaron Schock, Illinois
•Anh “Joseph” Cao, Louisiana
•Pete Olson, Texas