Chemical Distributors Advocate for Transportation Policy and Chemical Facility Security
ARLINGTON, VA – More than 90 members of the National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD) met with Congressional representatives and regulatory officials in Washington on Wednesday. Chemical distributors — who process, formulate, blend, re-package, warehouse, transport and market chemical products — advocated for legislation addressing the nation’s truck driver shortage, for a fully-operational U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB) to usher in needed freight rail reform, and for reauthorization of a critical antiterrorism program that keeps the country secure.
“In passing the Developing Responsible Individuals for a Vibrant Economy Act (DRIVE-Safe Act), Congress would be a step closer to solving the growing truck driver shortage by expanding the age for interstate drivers to 18 years old,” said NACD President Eric R. Byer. “Recent estimates indicate motor carriers are lacking 50,000 truck drivers—a number only expected to increase. In 2017, chemical distributor fleets and their third-party logistics partners traveled over 415 million miles delivering products. Across the board, industries and consumers are feeling the crunch of rising truck freight costs. It’s crucial that Congress takes action.”