News
09 Nov Renew Kansas signs rail-labor letter addressed to Congress as rail unions extend “cooling off” period
With a potential rail strike still on the horizon, Kansas Grain and Feed Association signed a letter coordinated by GoRail to request congress take action averting a nationwide shutdown. On Nov. 9, two rail labor unions extended their "status quo" period to Dec. 4, pushing the potential for a strike back to Dec. 9 at the earliest. To date, seven labor unions have ratified agreements based on the recommendations of the Presidential Emergency Board appointed by President Biden, while three other ratification votes are pending....
01 Nov KARA joins agriculture-organized letter to congress seeking a solution to a potential rail shutdown
Previously a co-signer of broad coalition letters, as agreements have continued to stall and the November 19 deadline for a rail strike/lockout quickly approaches, Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association joined a letter consisting of national and state agribusiness organizations requesting action from congress. "On behalf of our collective food and agricultural memberships, we write to urge swift action to avert a rail strike or lockout that would lead to shutdowns or slowdowns of rail-dependent facilities resulting in devastating consequences to our national and global food security," the letter said. The letter recommends congress...
25 Oct Renew Kansas among more than 100 associations signed onto letter for the Biden Administration to dissuade a rail strike
Renew Kansas Biofuels Association has joined more than 100 state and national level organizations in signing a letter urging President Joe Biden's administration to continue working with the railroads and union officials to ensure an agreed-upon mid-September rail labor contract is ratified. To date, six of the 12 unions have ratified the agreement, however, there are concerns a strike could still take place which would have devastating consequences on the economy. Many major news organizations have published reports detailing the potential strike in November. Links to stories are below. Railroads reject sick...
15 Sep Following all-night negotiations, a tentative railway labor agreement reached
Following hours of negotiation into the early morning, a tentative agreement has been made between railroads and rail union representatives preventing a nationwide rail shutdown ahead of Friday's 12:01 a.m., deadline. "We are pleased to learn the railroad and its labor unions were able to reach a tentative agreement as we quickly approach fall harvest throughout the state," Renew Kansas Biofuels Association President and CEO Ron Seeber said. "We appreciate all of our members who did a tremendous job explaining the intricacies of the relationship between rail service and biofuel processing...
14 Sep Renew Kansas joins coalition letter to congress to implement recommendations of the Presidential Emergency Board to prevent rail strike
Renew Kansas Biofuels Association joined more than 100 other organizations in signing and sending a letter on Sept. 15 to congressional leaders requesting action be taken to avoid a rail strike. A copy of the letter is available to view to the right. Although Renew Kansas and other groups prefer a resolution be reached by the negotiating parties, if an agreement can't be made, the letter addressed to United States Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-California) and House...
13 Sep Potential rail strike could have severe implications for biofuel industry
As you are aware, railroads and rail labor have until 12:01 a.m., on Sept. 16 to reach an agreement preventing a lockout or strike after the Presidential Emergency Board published a proposed settlement on Aug. 17. Renew Kansas Biofuels Association is working with its national affiliate organizations as well as the Kansas Congressional Delegation to find solutions to the impending rail labor strike. As this deadline approaches, there is no agreement yet in place. Class I railroads announced recently they would begin curtailing shipments of hazardous materials in anticipation of a possible...
30 Aug Special Interim Legislative Committee Holds Hearings on Water Issues
Following the inability of comprehensive water legislation to pass the Kansas House of Representatives during the 2022 legislative session, a special joint committee featuring members of the Kansas House and Senate held informational hearings on the status of water issues this week. The previously proposed legislation would have added new water use fees on Kansas irrigators and made sweeping changes to the state’s groundwater management districts. The legislation, as introduced, was broadly opposed by agriculture. The committee, chaired by Senator Dan Kerschen (R-Garden Plain), received presentations from multiple state boards and agencies...
25 Aug State of Kansas Department of Health and Environment Notice of Hearing on Proposed Air Quality Regulations
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), Division of Environment, Bureau of Air, has published proposed amendments to its air quality regulations K.A.R. 28-19-517 regarding Class I operating permits, annual emissions inventory, and fees; K.A.R. 28-19-546 regarding Class II operating permits, annual emission inventory, and fees; and K.A.R. 28-19-564 regarding Class II operating permits, permits-by-rule, and sources with actual emissions less than 50 percent of major source thresholds. Public Hearing - The agency will conduct a public hearing at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, November 3, 2022, in Room 530, Curtis State...
19 Aug KDOT opens application period for its Short Line Rail Improvement Fund (SLRIF)
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) has $5 million available through the Short Line Rail Improvement Fund (SLRIF) for railroad improvement projects. Qualified entities that may submit an application include: any Class III (short line) or Class II railroad, as defined in 49 C.F.R., part 1201.1 holding a certificate of public convenience from the Surface Transportation Board and any owner or lessee (shipper) located on a Class III or Class II railroad in coordination with the serving railroad. Of total project costs, 70 percent will be in the form of a...