In a notice of proposed rulemaking, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration would amend the statutorily mandated registration and fee assessment program for hazmat haulers.
For the 6,725 hazmat shippers and carriers not qualifying as a small business or not-for-profit organization, the rulemaking would adopt a fee increase from $975 to $2,975 (plus a $25 administrative fee in both cases) for registration year 2010-2011 and following years.
PHMSA says the fee increase is needed to fund the National Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) grants program at the statutorily authorized level of $28 million annually; the program supports hazmat emergency response planning and training by states and local governments.
