Letter from Eric Butler Regarding Proposed Flammable Liquids Rule

Announcement Number: CN2014-31
Categories: General Announcements
Posted Date: September 12, 2014

To Our Customers,

Earlier this week, you received a letter from our President and COO, Lance Fritz, regarding the implications of new rules governing the transportation of flammable liquids proposed by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). These rules would negatively impact service to all Union Pacific customers and curtail our ability to grow together in the future.

As you know, safety is our top priority. Union Pacific and the rest of the rail industry have undertaken a variety of voluntary steps to improve the safety of crude oil shipments. We are concerned that the proposed rule is too broad and would have a detrimental impact on our network without improving safety. Network velocity would deteriorate, capacity we have to grow would be reduced or eliminated, and our ability to recover from disruptions would be limited. Reductions in velocity, capacity and recoverability would negatively impact the service you expect from us.

Union Pacific is focused on creating value for our customers. Working together, we provide you with transportation solutions to meet your customers’ needs. I encourage you to provide feedback to PHMSA on the proposed rule and how it will affect your business. We have provided examples of letters you could send and instructions on how to submit comments. Your participation, whether through online comments or formal letters, will help ensure that the value you receive from Union Pacific is not diminished. It will also protect our ability to grow together in the future.

We appreciate your business and hope you will take action on this important matter. If you have any questions, please contact your Union Pacific Representative.

Sincerely,

Butler Signature

Eric Butler
Executive Vice President – Marketing & Sales

Comment Process Instructions

Dates:  Comments must be received by September 30, 2014.

Addresses: You may submit comments identified by the docket number (Docket No. PHMSA-2012-0082 (HM-251)) and any relevant petition number by any of the following methods:

  • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov  -- Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
  • Fax: 1-202-493-2251
  • Mail: Docket Management System; U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Routing Symbol M-30, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
  • Hand Delivery: To the Docket Management System; Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

All submissions must include the agency name and docket number for this notice at the beginning of the comment. To avoid duplication, please use only one of these four methods. All comments received will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov and will include any personal information you provide. All comments received will be posted without change to the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS), including any personal information. For access to the dockets to read background documents or comments received, go to http://www.regulations.gov.

Example Letters