Steere Tank Lines, Inc. v. Interstate Commerce Commission and United States of America

Steere challenges the Interstate Commerce Commission’s grant of an application by the Maxwell Company to remove a restriction on Maxwell’s authorization to transport goods. Under Maxwell’s previous authorization, it could transport “spent silica gel catalyst, in bulk.” The new authorization empowers Maxwell to transport “commodities in bulk,” without further restriction. The genesis of the ICC’s decision is its “Guidelines” for removal of restrictions on commodities that a carrier may transport. 49 C.F.R. § 1137.21(b). In Steere’s view, these guidelines contravene the ICC’s authority under…