Miller nominated for open STB seat

   President Barack Obama has nominated Deb Miller, a former head of the Kansas Department of Transportation, to the Surface Transportation Board to replace Francis Mulvey, who saw his term expire in December.
   If confirmed by the Senate, Miller’s appointment would run through 2017.
   Mulvey, who is currently serving as vice chairman, is allowed to serve for up to a year following the expiration of his term while a suitable replacement is found, per STB rules.
   In November, Mulvey publicly announced his intention to stay with the board until his successor is identified.
   “It has been an honor to serve as a member of the Surface Transportation Board for the last eight years,” he said at the time. “To ensure that the board continues to have a full complement of members and to reduce any gap that may occur between the end of my service and the appointment of a new board member, it has always been my intent to continue serving at the board after the Dec. 31 expiration of my term.”
   Mulvey, who was nominated to the board by President Bush in 2003, served as acting chairman between for a few months in 2009 and currently oversees the Uniform Rail Costing System.
   The American Chemistry Council trumpeted the decision, saying Miller brings valuable transportation experience from her time leading KDOT.
   “Over the last several years, the board has taken important steps to explore reforms that could reduce the need for regulation and rely on market forces to determine shipping rates and service terms,” ACC said in a statement. “We encourage the Senate to confirm a candidate who is committed to keeping the STB on a course that will foster a more competitive and healthy freight rail system.”