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December 20, 2000 10:44 AM, EST

A surplus in the fund for hazardous materials emergency preparedness may mean that the Department of Transportation will slash hazmat haulers registration fees, at least for a while.

DOT’s Research and Special Programs Administration proposes to cut registration fees for the next six years, to $475 from $1975 for large carriers. Smaller carriers would see a smaller reduction: $250, down from $275. Shippers and freight brokers also have to pay into the fund.

The funds go to state training programs for people who respond to emergencies involving hazardous materials, said Kelly Coyner, RSPA’s administrator. The agency intends to reevaluate the registration fee within three years to determine if a permanent change to the fee structure is appropriate, Coyner said.

The agency collected $8.5 million more in carrier registration fees than it expected last year. As a result, RSPA will reduce future collections until the surplus is spent, the agency said.

For the full story, see the Dec. 18 print edition of Transport Topics. .