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Hazmat Reauthorization Issues to be Focus of Hearing

Washington, DC, March 27, 2014 | Justin Harclerode (202) 225-9446
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A Congressional hearing, chaired by U.S. Rep. Jeff Denham (R-CA), will focus on reauthorization of the hazardous materials (hazmat) safety program of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).

PHMSA’s hazardous materials safety program is currently authorized under Division C, Title III of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (P.L. 112-141) (MAP-21), which will expire September 30, 2014. 

Under its hazardous materials safety program, PHMSA oversees the safe and secure shipment of nearly 1.4 million daily movements of hazardous materials, such as explosive, flammable, corrosive, and radioactive materials.  These materials include such common products as paints, fuels, fertilizers, alcohols, chlorine, fireworks, and batteries that are essential to the general public and local economies due to their use in farming, medicine, manufacturing, mining, and other industrial processes.  In total, about three billion tons of hazardous material moves each year in the United States. 

The hearing of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, entitled “Examining Issues for Hazardous Materials Reauthorization,” is scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 2, 2014 in 2167 Rayburn House Office Building.

Witness list:

  • The Honorable Cynthia Quarterman, Administrator, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
  • Mr. William F. Downey, Executive Vice President and Chief Security Officer, Kenan Advantage Group, Inc.; on behalf of the American Trucking Association
  • Mr. Thomas E. Schick, Senior Director, Regulatory and Technical Affairs, American Chemistry Council
  • Mr. Stephen Pelkey, Chairman, Transportation Committee, American Pyrotechnics Association
  • Mr. Kevin O'Connor, Assistant to the General President, International Association of Fire Fighters

    • More information about the hearing, including testimony, additional background information, and live webcast link, will be posted here as it becomes available. 

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