Source: The Journal of Commerce Online
House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John Mica and several other key members of that panel from both political parties are warning the Surface Transportation Board against taking steps that hurt railroads’ ability to invest in their networks.
The warning comes ahead of STB hearings Feb 24 and May 3 that could lead the agency to toughen some of its policies on railroad cargo exemptions and granting competitive access to other rail carriers for long-distance shipments.
It also comes the same week President Obama doubled down on his infrastructure investment plans and the intercity passenger rail expansion that mostly depends on access by Amtrak or similar operations to freight-owned tracks. And several railroad CEOs visited the White House this week to discuss their concerns over regulations with the president’s chief economic adviser, Austan Goolsbee.