DOT Seeks Comment on Review of Regulations, Including ELD Mandate, Driver Training
The U.S. Department of Transportation is seeking comments on its review of several existing regulations ranging from a requirement for electronic logging devices set to go into effect Dec. 18 to a final rule establishing minimum training requirements for entry-level commercial motor vehicle operators.
In a Federal Register posting Oct. 2, the agency said it is evaluating the regulations continued necessity, whether they are “crafted effectively to solve current problems” and whether they potentially burden the development or use of domestically produced energy resources.
“As part of these reviews, the department invites the public to provide input on existing rules and other agency actions that are good candidates for repeal, replacement, suspension or modification,” the announcement said.
Comments will be accepted through Nov. 1, and the agency said it may hold a public meeting to discuss and consider comments.
“There should be no more regulations than necessary, and those regulations should be straightforward, clear and designed to minimize burdens,” DOT said. “Further, DOT regulations and other agency actions should not unnecessarily obstruct, delay, curtail or otherwise impose significant costs on the siting, permitting, production, utilization, transmission or delivery of energy resources.”
Besides the ELD and driver training rules, regulations to be reviewed include the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s 2013 final rule on Occupant Crash Protection, NHTSA’s 2015 final rule on electronic stability control systems for heavy vehicles, NHTSA’s 2016 final rule on greenhouse gas emissions and fuel-efficiency standards for medium- and heavy-duty engines and vehicles, and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s 2016 final rule on commercial driver license drug and alcohol clearinghouse.
The agency said the review will result in a final report that describes the result of the required review and includes specific recommendations that could alleviate or eliminate aspects of agency actions that burden domestic energy production.
