Controlled Substances and Alcohol Use and Testing; PacifiCorp Electric Operations' Exemption Application; Random Testing of Drivers

The OMCS is announcing its proposal to deny the application of PacifiCorp Electric Operations (PacifiCorp) for an exemption from the OMCS' controlled substances and alcohol random testing requirements in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). PacifiCorp has requested an exemption because the company believes it has a low percentage of positive random test results since testing was initiated. PacifiCorp's positive rate for random controlled substances tests is 1 percent and its positive rate for random alcohol tests is 0.8 percent. The company requested regulatory relief but did not offer alternatives that would have comparable deterrent effects. The OMCS intends to deny the exemption because PacifiCorp did not explain how it would achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety that would be obtained by complying with the random controlled substances and alcohol testing requirements.

This is a factual description of what was issued or decided, not an assessment of it.