Search Results for keywords:"Surface Transportation Board"

San Joaquin Valley Railroad Co. (SJVR) has filed a notice to continue leasing and operating 101.5 miles of rail lines from Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP). This new lease replaces a previous one from 1994 and includes an interchange commitment. SJVR ensures its revenue won’t exceed the limit for a Class III carrier but admits it currently surpasses $5 million, for which it seeks a waiver on the 60-day labor notice period. This request will be reviewed separately by the Surface Transportation Board, which will set the exemption's effective date.

The Surface Transportation Board has issued a final rule to adjust civil monetary penalties for inflation, as mandated by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015. This rule is effective from January 14, 2021, and the adjustments are based on changes in the Consumer Price Index. The decision to implement this without a public comment period is due to the lack of discretion allowed by Congress in setting penalty levels, which are determined by a statutory formula. The rule does not impose any new information collection requirements.

Puerto Verde Industrial Railroad, LLC (PVIR), a noncarrier company, plans to operate a 2.43-mile private railroad track in Maverick County, Texas, on the site of a former coal mine. This site, owned by PVIR's affiliate, Farming Hydrasource, LLC, is being converted into an industrial park. Once operational, PVIR will provide carrier services like switching and transloading for local businesses. The railroad's annual revenue is projected to stay under $5 million, classifying it as a Class III rail carrier. The earliest start date for operations under this exemption is January 1, 2025, and certain regulatory reviews do not apply to this project.

Central New York Railroad Corporation (CNY) is a small railroad company that continues to lease and operate a rail line from Norfolk Southern Railway Company, covering about 123.1 miles between New York and Pennsylvania. This notice states that CNY plans to amend their lease to extend the term and adjust renewal conditions, while keeping all other original terms in place. CNY assures that the transaction will not make it a larger railroad and estimates their earnings won't go beyond $5 million a year. The Surface Transportation Board will allow this change to be effective from April 12, 2025, unless any misleading information is found or if objections are filed in time.

American Services Rail, LLC (ASR), a noncarrier, has submitted a notice to lease and operate a small rail line in Mississippi currently operated by Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, LLC (CRIP). The arrangement allows ASR to function as a common carrier on a specific section and as a contract carrier on additional tracks. ASR affirms that no interchange commitments are involved and that the transaction will not lead to it becoming a larger rail carrier. The transaction is set to take effect on April 9, 2025, with legal precautions in place if any misleading information is found.

Arkansas Southern Railroad, L.L.C. (ARS) has filed for an exemption to extend and amend its lease agreements with The Kansas City Southern Railway Company (KCS) for two railroad lines. The amendments, agreed upon in July 2020, will extend the lease until November 30, 2034, and include a commitment related to train interchange. ARS confirms this transaction won't increase their annual revenues beyond $5 million or change their carrier classification. Petitions to challenge the exemption can be submitted, with the earliest transaction effective date being March 14, 2021.

Knoxville & Holston River Railroad Co., Inc. (KXHR), a subsidiary of Gulf & Ohio Railways, is seeking to abandon a 3.8-mile rail line in Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee. KXHR states that the sole shipper, Ergon Terminaling, Inc., has reduced its use of the line, resulting in revenues insufficient to cover operating costs, which exceed revenue by over 90%. The company has been operating at a loss since 2019 and does not expect traffic to increase. They have notified Ergon of their plans and indicated that the line may be converted for public use, such as a trail. The Surface Transportation Board will prepare an environmental assessment and issue a decision by March 31, 2025.

Central Oregon & Pacific Railroad, Inc. (CORP) plans to lease and operate a section of railroad line from the Union Pacific Railroad Company, totaling about 27.58 miles in Oregon. This transaction is set to occur after February 8, 2025, following the required notice period and certification. CORP's expected annual revenues from this operation will exceed $5 million, necessitating advance notices to affected employees and labor unions. The agreement includes an interchange commitment, and interested parties can file petitions related to the exemption process.

The Surface Transportation Board reviewed a petition from the Seven County Infrastructure Coalition to build an 85-mile railway in Utah to connect the Uinta Basin with the national rail network. The Coalition seeks an exemption from the usual prior approval requirements, arguing that the rail line will provide critical transportation benefits and support local industries. While there is significant support, including endorsements from state officials, there is also opposition citing financial viability concerns and potential environmental impacts. The Board has made a preliminary decision on the transportation merits but will only finalize its decision after completing an environmental review.