Regulation

Biden signs legislation preventing rail strike, lockout

The president said the law avoids “what, without a doubt, would have been an economic catastrophe at a very bad time in the calendar.”

By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 2, 2022

Senate sends bill avoiding rail shutdown to Biden’s desk

The divided chamber shot down an amendment to give workers seven days paid sick leave.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 1, 2022

House passes bills to avert US rail shutdown, add paid sick leave

The vote comes just two days after President Joe Biden urged congressional intervention, warning “a rail shutdown would devastate our economy.”

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 30, 2022

Zinc-based storage manufacturer delays production to capitalize on federal tax credits

Eos Energy Enterprises is pushing this year's orders to 2023 to take advantage of energy storage benefits outlined in the Inflation Reduction Act, CEO Joe Mastrangelo said.

By Stephen Singer • Nov. 29, 2022

Biden calls on Congress to prevent rail shutdown

The president said he’s been advised that “there is no path to resolve the dispute at the bargaining table” before the Dec. 9 deadline.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 28, 2022

Potential for rail shutdown rises as largest union rejects labor deal

An impasse over guaranteed sick leave is likely headed to a congressional showdown.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 21, 2022

Biden proposes new sustainability rules for federal suppliers

Companies with more than $7.5 million in federal contracts would be required to disclose emissions.

By Kelly Stroh • Nov. 15, 2022

Deadline to avoid rail strike or lockout extended to December

The country’s third-largest rail union agreed to a longer “cooling off” period in an attempt to avoid congressional intervention and service disruptions.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 9, 2022

Major railroads mandated to keep reporting service restoration progress

Regulators will continue to monitor BNSF, CSX, Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific after noting they are unlikely to reach their improvement targets before the end of the current reporting period. 

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 9, 2022

ESG backlash unlikely to derail SEC proposal requiring climate risk disclosures

One expert said the agency has "vastly underestimated" the amount of money needed for businesses to comply.

By Jim Tyson • Nov. 3, 2022

Rail labor negotiations: Tracking the path to ratification

A strike or lockout was avoided after Congress intervened to impose an agreement. Here’s how we got there.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Updated Dec. 2, 2022

How the US plans to transform its lithium supply chain

With just 3.6% of global reserves, access to the critical mineral is vital to the country’s sustainable energy plans.

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • Oct. 27, 2022

Biden awards $2.8B to boost domestic EV battery supply

Suppliers for major auto giants including Tesla and Mercedes-Benz won grants to expand manufacturing

By Sarah Zimmerman • Oct. 20, 2022

UPS to pay $5.3M in EPA settlement over alleged hazardous waste violations

The parcel delivery giant has three years to come into compliance at more than 1,000 facilities nationwide.

By Max Garland • Oct. 20, 2022

FMC initiates chassis overhaul study, part of Ocean Shipping Reform Act

The National Academies of Science will conduct the $500,000 review of existing chassis pools to determine the best model.

By Alejandra Salgado • Oct. 18, 2022

EPA to speed review of new chemicals for electric vehicles

The move is in line with the Biden administration’s focus on boosting domestic output of lithium and rare earth minerals.

By Larry Pearl • Oct. 18, 2022

Railroads should give workers the benefits they seek

It's time to get freight rail back on track with a stable workforce and improved service, writes the National Association of Chemical Distributors.

By Eric R. Byer • Oct. 17, 2022

Biden admin seeks public input on China tariff review

Section 301 tariffs will remain in place as the U.S. Trade Representative evaluates their effectiveness.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Oct. 13, 2022

FMC proposal requires ocean carriers to give shippers more details on demurrage charges

The rule comes after the agency investigated practices into the fees, which are accrued when shippers don’t move cargo fast enough.

By Alejandra Salgado • Oct. 11, 2022

Thailand to ban plastic scrap imports in 2025

The move to curb plastic pollution follows similar rules made by other countries in Southeast Asia.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 6, 2022

FMC proposal defines ‘unreasonable’ export rejections by ocean carriers

The new rule details criteria for violations under the Ocean Shipping Reform Act and establishes a framework for proving improper refusals.

By Alejandra Salgado • Sept. 21, 2022

White House supply chain strategy shifts beyond 24/7 port operations

Port and Supply Chain Envoy Gen. Stephen Lyons said the initiative failed to gain traction due to the financial costs involved.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Sept. 20, 2022

Inflation Reduction Act could shift EV battery composition: report

Global markets for critical materials are likely to remain tight. “We expect virtually every commodity to be undersupplied beyond 2025,” new research from BofA Global states.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 8, 2022

Maersk abandons $1B sale of container business after DOJ investigation

Regulators were concerned that a sale to China International Marine Containers would have led to higher prices and less supply chain resiliency.

By Alejandra Salgado • Aug. 30, 2022

Inflation Reduction Act encourages EV battery sourcing, production in North America

The law creates incentives that could require major shifts in critical mineral supply chains for U.S. automakers.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Aug. 17, 2022