WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration on Thursday announced a proposal to amend its Freight Car Safety Standards to place restrictions on newly built freight cars placed in service in the U.S. to address concerns over foreign parts and technology — rules essentially aimed at China, although the regulation does not say so explicitly.
The proposed amendment, which addresses a provision of the Bipartisan Infrastructure law, limit the use of sensitive technology or components that originate from a “country of concern” or are sourced from a “state-owned enterprise.” (A dozen countries are on the Secretary of State’s current list of Countries of Particular Concern; most have no rail manufacturing presence.)
The proposed amendment has been published today in the Federal Register, beginning a 60-day comment period. The FRA says the infrastructure law includes safety and security standards aimed at preventing the exploitation of freight cars for illicit purposes and the potential compromise of sensitive technologies within the industry, and its amendments will establish “a robust framework for monitoring and enforcing industry compliance.”
“The safety and security of our nation’s freight rail system are paramount,” FRA Administrator Amit Bose said in a press release. “By amending the Freight Car Safety Standards in accordance with BIL section 22425, we are taking a significant step forward in ensuring that our rail infrastructure remains resilient and safe for the transportation of vital goods and commodities.”
Publication in the Federal Register begins a 60-day comment period on the proposed amendment. Comments may be submitted at www.regulations.gov and commenting on Docket No. FRA–2023–21.
— Updated at 7:25 a.m. CDT with publication in the Federal Register.
Ask them where is their two man crew regulation. Where are their regulations on train tonnage & length, or any federal detector standards? Zero.
…but they have time to dream up stuff like this that won’t amount to a hill of beans.