Advocacy News – April 12, 2023
The Michigan Chamber is flagging significant concerns with a newly introduced bill on the move that would prohibit railroads from operating a freight or work train longer than 7,500 feet.
The bill as pending before the Senate Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and sponsored by its Chair – Sen. Erika Geiss (D-Taylor) – states an intent of addressing congestion at road-grade rail crossings.
However, as the Chamber pointed out in testimony, it instead may do the opposite and create other unintended consequences for rail transport that is such a critical part of the state’s supply chain for numerous industries, including:
- Putting Michigan out of step nationally and with other states’ regulations.
- Requiring the reconfiguration of trains resulting in twice as many trains to transport the same amount of freight tonnage, actually increasing congestion at railyards in more populous and urban areas, hindering efficient movement of goods and likely increasing costs for consumers and businesses alike.
- Necessitating many more heavier locomotives on our rail infrastructure, putting more and faster wear and tear on tracks.
- Generating legal hurdles and expense as individual states trying to impose state-specific regulations like this are prohibited under the Interstate Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
For more information or to weigh in on how this could impact your business operations, contact Mike Alaimo at malaimo@michamber.com.