D.C. UPDATE: Infrastructure, regs, funding and NAFTA top rail industry's policy agenda

摘要

When freight-rail executives and advocates meet in Washington, D.C, for the annual Railroad Day on Capitol Hill on March 7, they will come armed with a wish list for Congress and President Donald Trump's administration to consider when it comes to policies, legislation and regulations that impact the railroad industry. Some of their wish-list items are perennial favorites: passing a permanent extension of the Section 45G tax credit for short lines; maintaining existing truck-size and weight restrictions; shoring up the federal Highway Trust Fund; and squelching the Surface Transportation Board's (STB) proposed "competitive switching" rules. All of those topics will be emphasized in conversations with lawmakers, their staff and U.S. Department of Transportation officials. Also top of mind will be President Trump's long-awaited infrastructure plan, which as of press time was expected to be unveiled shortly after his Jan. 30 State of the Union address. According to news reports, Trump said he expects to unveil a package that will work to "rebuild our crumbling infrastructure" by stimulating a $1.5 trillion investment. His announcement followed last month's news leak of what might be contained in the package. Last year, as part of a budget proposal, the president called for a $1 trillion infrastructure investment that would include some federal monies but also encourage more investment by states, local communities and the private sector.