CURE Praises Introduction of “Rail Shipper Fairness Act of 2015”
For Immediate Release:
March 24, 2015
Contact:
Ann Warner
202.465.8716
WASHINGTON, D.C. – David Sauer, President of Consumers United for Rail Equity (CURE), praised today’s introduction of the Rail Shipper Fairness Act of 2105 by Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI).
“Senator Baldwin has been a forceful advocate of freight rail shippers dating back to her time in the House of Representatives,” said Sauer, who is chief operating officer and senior vice president of Dakota Gasification Company (Dakota Gas), Bismarck ND, a subsidiary of Basin Electric Power Cooperative. “On behalf of CURE’s members, I thank Senator Baldwin for her continued leadership in keeping the concerns of freight rail shippers on the legislative radar screen.”
Both the Rail Shipper Fairness Act of 2105 and the Surface Transportation Board (STB) Reauthorization Act of 2015 (S.808), introduced by Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R-SD) and Ranking Member Bill Nelson (D-FL) on March 19, would expand the membership of the STB to five members from its current three person structure and make other needed improvements in Federal oversight of freight railroads.
“The introduction of two significant pieces of legislation reforming the STB provides CURE and the shipping community with the opportunity to educate more lawmakers and their staffs on rail shipper issues. These bills will further the dialogue over much needed reforms at the STB that will improve rail service,” said Ann Warner, CURE interim executive director.
CURE is a national coalition representing freight rail shippers. Through a growing coalition of industries and associations, CURE is working to educate the public on the impacts to consumers from railroad practices.
ABOUT CURE
The mission of CURE, and its successor organization, is to obtain changes in Federal law and policy that will provide all freight shippers with reliable rail service at competitive prices.
###
