AAR statement on the Senate STB Reauthorization Bill
Written by jrood
The Association of American Railroads issued the following statement by AAR President and CEO Edward R. Hamberger in response to the Senate Commerce Committee markup of the STB Reauthorization Bill:
"We appreciate the
efforts of the Senate Commerce Committee, under the leadership of Chairman
Rockefeller and Senator Hutchison and senior Committee members of both parties,
to work with all freight stakeholders over the last several months in
developing this legislation.
"This bill would be
the most significant rewrite of the railroad industry’s regulatory system in
the last three decades. Under the bill, Class 1 railroads would be required to
open their privately-owned and maintained rail networks and would face vastly
expanded government involvement in railroad operations.
"We continue to have
concerns about certain provisions in the bill, particularly the nature and
scope of the antitrust provision that may be added at a later date, and we will
remain engaged with the Commerce Committee, Congress and the Administration to
craft final legislation that ensures railroads can continue to make the
investments that sustain a healthy national rail network."
Since the Staggers Act of
1980, freight railroads have invested more than $440 billion to revitalize the
nation’s rail infrastructure. Future rail growth will produce valuable public
benefits including American jobs, clean air and energy conservation, reduced
highway congestion and enhanced community livability.
