WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board will hold a public hearing on July 29 on a case that centers on whether a railroad may deny service to coal shippers who do not follow the railroad’s rules on coal dust dispersal.
The case, Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation—Petition for Declaratory Order, Docket No. FD 35305, raises the issues of whether BNSF Railway Co. may establish rules regarding coal dust dispersion from coal trains operating over its lines and if it can refuse to provide rail service to shippers who do not comply with its rules.
The Board will decide if this constitutes an unreasonable practice and whether the provision would violate BNSF’s common carrier obligation.
The hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. at STB Headquarters, 395 E Street SW, Washington, D.C.
