RTA's Committee for Legislative and Environmental Affairs Response (CLEAR):

1. Chairman - Tom Niederberger, Koppers Inc.
2. Steve Bolte, Progressive Railroading
3. John Bosshart, Burlington Northern Santa Fe  
4. Kenny Dailey, Boatright Railroad Products (Board Liaison)
5. Alan Jackson, Arizona Pacific Wood Preserving Co.
6. Ken Laughlin, Arizona Pacific Wood Preserving Co.
7. Rob Matthews, Stella-Jones 
8. Scott McBride, Gross & Janes Co.
9. John McGinley, AmeriTies Holdings LLC
   
10. John Zillioux, Norfolk Southern
11. Holly Thoelke, Finger Lakes Railway Corp.
12. Dave Webb, Webb Consultants Inc. 

Committee Assignments for 2012:

• Subjects of National Importance
• Determine subjects of national importance which will have a direct effect on the railroad and crosstie industry
• Evaluate their consequences.
• Take whatever steps are necessary with the approval of the Executive Committee.
• Prepare suitable articles for publication in Crossties magazine when appropriate.
• Consider the political perspective and potential activities relative to Short Line and Regional Railroad development, High Speed Corridor programs, environmental issues of importance to our railroad customer, legislative activities on current and potential legislation, and crosstie production in various sectors of the United States

•  Maintaining balanced regulation
• Timber Supply in conjunction with appropriate Timber Groups
• Support efforts to secure tax credits for rail infrastructure investments
• Rail Safety Legislation (Grade Crossing)
• Federal Highway Legislation (CABT)
• RSSC, AAR, and ASLRRA cooperation on various legislative issues
• Monitor Surface Transportation Board (STB) Actions
• FRA High Speed Rail projects
• Coordinate with rail labor efforts that support and apply to Short Lines, Regionals, and Amtrak
• Taxes - capital gains, fuel, and safety user fee

      

•      Coordinate with the Creosote Council on Re-regulation issues
•      Coordinate RTA with RSSC efforts to lobby in Washington, DC
•      Coordinate with appropriate Washington based associations and Lobbyists
•      Engage a prominent speaker for 2012 conference
•      Report to the RTA 2012 conference
•      Recommend assignments for 2013
•      Attend ASLRRA Washington Legislative Conference.