No images? Click here GCCA Hosts Monthly Advocacy Webinar SeriesOn Thursday, April 8, 2021, GCCA hosted our monthly Advocacy Webinar Series. This webinar focuses on President Biden’s newly unveiled American Job Plan, which lays out the Administration’s $2.25 trillion U.S. infrastructure proposal as well as recent regulatory developments. Watch a recap of the Webinar HERE. IRS Provides Guidance on the Employee Retention Credit under the CARES Act for the First and Second Calendar Quarters of 2021On Friday, April 2, 2021, the Internal Revenue Service issued guidance for employers claiming the Employee Retention Credit (ERTC) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) modified by the Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2020 (Relief Act). Learn more HERE. Read the full guidance HERE. RMP Public Meeting Provision Now in EffectThe Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Risk Management Program (RMP) was amended during the Obama Administration to include a requirement that RMP regulated facilities hold a public meeting after an accidental chemical release. During the Trump Administration, EPA finalized a Reconsideration Rule that modified or rescinded many of the changes made by the Obama Administration. The public meeting requirement was modified to focus on releases with offsite consequences but was otherwise retained in the regulation with an effective date of March 15, 2021. From that date forward, an RMP regulated facility must hold a public meeting within 90 days following a reportable accident that has offsite impacts such as known offsite deaths, injuries, evacuations, sheltering in place, property damage, or environmental damage. Read more HERE. Learn more about the RMP rule on the EPA's website HERE. Labor Chief Walsh Puts Hold on OSHA Virus Rule for More AnalysisRelease of OSHA’s Covid-19 emergency temporary standard is on hold at the request of Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh. Secretary Walsh has reviewed the rulemaking and requested that it should be updated to reflect the latest scientific analysis of the state of the disease. It’s been more than three weeks since the March 15 deadline President Joe Biden’s executive order had set for DOL’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration to decide whether a standard was needed; the order directed the agency to issue a standard if its answer was that Covid-19 posed a grave danger to workers. Read more HERE. STB Issues Final Rule on DemurrageOn April 6TH, the Surface Transportation Board (STB) announced the adoption of a final rule in Demurrage Billing Requirements, Docket No. EP 759. The final rule comes after two years of investigation of current demurrage policies. GCCA testified at an STB hearing in 2019 and provided written comments requesting that the STB take action to reform demurrage policies. GCCA and other rail users expressed concerns that demurrage invoices were confusing, difficult to verify, and lacking in basic information about the shipments covered. Read more HERE. Call to Action: Nominate a Cold Chain Champion Do you have a colleague who you believe performs exceptional work and deserves special recognition? We are highlighting our members and their achievements on social media. Nominate yourself, your company, or your colleague for a chance to be spotlighted as a #ColdChainChampion! Submit nominations, a short explanation, and a photo to Rachael Oury at roury@gcca.org. GCCA Launches Advocacy CenterGCCA has launched a new Advocacy Center as part of the association’s expanded advocacy efforts. This new platform will enable GCCA members to engage with their elected officials to promote and protect the industry. All GCCA members are encouraged to SUBSCRIBE to the new Advocacy Center program to receive the latest on policy developments and grassroots campaigns. Advocacy Fund Established to Support Enhanced ServicesGCCA has established a new strategic initiative, the Advocacy Fund, to expand our advocacy efforts on behalf of our industry. This Advocacy Fund will support our increased efforts to promote and protect the cold chain. Members are urged to consider making financial contributions to support these expanded advocacy efforts. To learn more about the Fund or about how you can contribute click here or please contact Lowell Randel. |