U.S. Reps. Mike Kelly (R-PA) and Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA) recently sent a letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg urging the Biden administration to prioritize freight rail to address the semiconductor shortage.
Semiconductor chips are used in numerous technologies and are a critical part of freight railcars.
It is important that the rail industry receives a higher allocation of chips, the lawmakers said, to quicken the transition to zero-emission fleets, ensure the movement of goods, and protect safety equipment or components.
The current chip shortage has been an issue since 2019, and experts do not expect it to improve until 2024.
“Depending on the industry, it requires two to three years’ time; therefore, all future needs are compromised until new capacity is online or demand decreases,” the lawmakers said. “In the meantime, it is of the utmost importance that the freight rail and transit manufacturers receive chips for safety and mission-critical parts and components.”
The lawmakers suggested that transit semiconductor chips and related critical components could be part of the solution for national logistics and supply disruptions because the rail industry moves everything from energy products to food.
The government must support American businesses and workers, the lawmakers said.