FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, February 15, 2000
Contact: Patricia Klinger
Telephone: 202-366-4831
RSPA 3-00
CHANGES IN HAZARDOUS MATERIALS REGISTRATION
AND FEE ASSESSMENT PROGRAM TO IMPROVE SAFETY
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) today announced changes to the hazardous materials transportation registration and fee assessment program to provide additional funding for state, local and Native American tribal emergency planning and training programs.
"President Clinton and Vice President Gore want the federal government to be an important partner in building healthy, liveable communities for the 21st century, and this rule supports that purpose," Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater said. "A safe and efficient response to emergencies involving hazardous materials is essential to the well-being of people, the environment and the economy of communities across America."
The funds collected through the registration fees support the Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness grants program. These grants are used by state and local governments to enhance emergency response planning and training activities to protect communities in the event of a hazardous materials incident. RSPA estimates that 800,000 shipments of hazardous materials make their way through the national transportation system each day. Since 1993 these grants have helped train approximately 785,000 hazardous materials responders. RSPA expects that the changes it is making in the registration and fee assessment program will increase the funding available for emergency planning and training programs from approximately $8 million in 1999 to $12.8 million in 2000.
"Increased funding will improve safety at a level consistent with Congressional intent, ensure that a larger segment of the hazardous materials response community will receive critical initial and recurrent training at all levels, and enhance the extent and quality of planning tools," said RSPA Administrator Kelley S. Coyner.
RSPA is expanding criteria for persons required to register to include persons offering or transporting a shipment of hazardous materials that requires placarding, with the exception of farmers transporting hazardous materials in support of their farming operation. This will increase the number of persons required to register from 27,000 to an estimated 45,000.
In addition, a two-tier annual registration fee schedule has been created, with the lower fee of $300 imposed on registrants meeting the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) criteria for a small business. Shippers and carriers that are not "small businesses" will be required to pay a $2,000 registration fee.
The final rule is in yesterday’s Federal Register.
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