The Scoop Podcast: Regulatory Uncertainty
How and when are the big questions being asked around key regulations and issues for ag retailers. As Richard Gupton from ARA says, the developments around the pending rail strike are still up in the air. He also gives updates from OSHA and EPA policies.
Top of mind right now because of its potential effect and finite time frame is the pending rail strike.
“The bottom line is it's all still up in the air,” Gupton says. “Most of the unions have agreed to the terms but there's four main ones that have not and if they don't, then we're going to deal with this strike. And I think you're already seeing the potential impacts with shippers not making commitments or shipments not taking place, and there’s uncertainty.”
The pending deadline is Dec. 8, when the cooling off period expires for one of the unions. So December 9 would be the start of the potential strike.
“Congress needs to step up. And they have the power under the Railroad Labor Act to extend either the cooling off period to push off that December 9 date, or force them to implement the framework of the Presidential emergency board, which was issued over the summer with some recommendations,” Gupton says.
Regarding OSHA, Gupton shares that while ag retailers are currently exempted from Process Safety Management, the agency was looking at potential changes. ARA submitted comments, which highlight the industry’s current safety regulations around ammonium nitrate fertilizer and anhydrous ammonia.
Additionally, there are updates on the EPA’s Risk Management Program as well as the Endangered Species Act. Get the full update from Gupton on The Scoop Podcast:
