Illinois House Republican Delegation Write Letter to STB Expressing Concerns
Congress of the United States
Washington, DC 20515
January 15, 2015
The Honorable Daniel R. Elliott III, Chainnan U.S. Surface Transpo1iation Board
395 E Street, SW
Washington, DC 20423-0001
The Honorable Debra Miller, Vice Chairman U.S. Surface Transpo1iation Board
395 E Street, SW
Washington, DC 20423-0001
The Honorable Ann D. Begeman, Commissioner U.S. Surface Transportation Board
395 E Street, SW
Washington, DC 20423-0001
Dear Chainnan Elliott, Vice Chairman Miller and Commissioner Begeman:
We write to you in response to Canadian Pacific Railway’s proposal to establish a voting trust and merge with Norfolk Southern Corporation. As members of the Illinois Congressional delegation, we recognize the potential impact this proposal could have on our state’s and our nation’s freight rail network.
As you know, all seven Class I railroads operate in the State of Illinois. The Illinois rail network is crncial to the movement of agricultural goods and products, energy resources, merchandise and other goods that are shipped across the United States and around the world. Thus, any ha1111 or significant inte1TUptions to shippers’ ability to move their goods would be of concern to us.
Illinois is also home to the largest rail hub in No1ih America, Chicago. Rail companies operating in Chicago must coordinate closely and carefully in order to maximize efficiency and safety. Illinois and our nation rely on a strong and coordinated freight rail industry in order to keep our economy moving forward. Therefore, any consolidation in the freight rail industry must not unduly disrupt the efficient flow of the Chicago network, or reduce the CUITent competitive options for the routing of freight through this gateway.
Congress has given the Surface Transpo1iation Board (STB) the exclusive jurisdiction to review and approve mergers and acquisitions in the railroad industry. Therefore, it is also vital that the Board ensure that no premerger attempts to advance control of one of the remaining seven Class I railroads are allowed before the Board can properly examine this proposal.
We ask that the STB thoroughly review this proposal and specifically consider any potential negative impacts to the state of Illinois and the nation’s railroad network.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Rodney Davis
Member of Congress
John Shimkus
Member of Congress
Robert J. Dold
Member of Congress
Darin LaHood
Member of Congress
Mike Bost
Member of Congress
Adam Kinzinger
Member of Congress
Randy Hultgren
Member of Congress
Peter J. Roskam
Member of Congress
