[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 107 (Monday, June 3, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 27946]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-13802]
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SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD
[STB Special Tariff Authority No. 1] 1
Petition To Allow Short-Term Notice of Fuel Cost-Related
Increases
AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board.
\1\ Formerly docketed as Special Tariff Authority No. 9601.
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ACTION: Notice of decision.
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SUMMARY: On April 16, 1996, the American Trucking Associations, Inc.,
the Interstate Truckload Carriers Conference, and the American Movers
Conference (collectively petitioners) jointly requested the Surface
Transportation Board (Board) to permit motor carriers still subject to
statutory tariff-filing requirements to implement fuel-related
surcharges on one day's notice. After receiving public comment on
petitioners' request, the Board has decided to deny the relief sought.
DATES: This action is effective on May 28, 1996.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ronald A. Hall, (202) 927-5639.
[TDD for the hearing impaired: (202) 927-5721.]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Petitioners sought blanket short-notice rate
increase authority to facilitate prompt recovery of increased fuel
costs incurred by household goods carriers and carriers participating
in joint motor/water rates in the noncontiguous domestic trade. In our
decision served April 19, 1996, we concluded that, although they must
themselves maintain tariffs, household goods carriers do not need short
notice relief because, like most other motor carriers, they do not file
tariffs with the Board, nor are their tariffs subject to the Board's
tariff filing regulations at 49 CFR Part 1312; thus, they may adjust
their rates to deal with fuel cost increases free from the Board's
oversight. Noting that it was unclear whether rising fuel costs had a
substantial impact ``on the extremely limited amount of service that
remains subject to the Board's tariff-filing jurisdiction, and hence
over which the Board has authority to grant the relief sought by
petitioners,'' we sought comment on petitioners' request as it pertains
to motor carriers providing joint-rate service with water carriers in
the noncontiguous domestic trade.
We received only one comment, from the Distilled Spirits Council of
the United States, Inc. (DISCUS). DISCUS opposes the relief sought.
We are denying the relief sought. The initial petition presented
general information on fuel price increases, but no interest responded
to our request for input on the impact that rising fuel costs have had
on the noncontiguous domestic trade. Moreover, it appears that recent
fuel price increases have leveled off. According to information from
the U.S. Department of Energy's periodic survey, diesel fuel prices
appear to have peaked during the second half of April, and have since
begun to stabilize and even drop. Even on the West Coast--the region
hit the hardest by the recent fuel price increases--prices have
stabilized since the beginning of the month.
We recently granted individual applications of two carriers--one
water carrier and one motor carrier--seeking relief from the 7-day
rule.2 We will continue to entertain individual requests for
relief when appropriate. It does not appear on this record, however,
that an across-the-board waiver is warranted.
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\2\ Fuel Surcharge Increase on One Day's Notice (Crowley Marine
Services, Inc.), Special Tariff Authority No. 2 (STB May 6, 1996);
Fuel Surcharge Increase on One Day's Notice (Viking Freight Systems,
Inc.), Special Tariff Authority No. 3 (STB May 10, 1996).
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Accordingly, we deny the broad relief sought here.
It is ordered:
The petition is denied.
Small Entities
This action will not have significant economic effects on a
substantial number of small entities.
Environment
This action will not significantly affect either the quality of the
human environment or the conservation of energy resources.
Decided: May 20, 1996.
By the Board, Chairman Morgan, Vice Chairman Simmons, and
Commissioner Owen.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-13802 Filed 5-31-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P
