STB extends deadline for participation in UP-NS merger review

Rail regulator grants holiday extension

(Photo: Union Pacific)

The Surface Transportation Board has extended the deadline for filing notices of intent to participate in the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger to Sept. 30, the board’s chief counsel, Anika S. Cooper, said in a decision on Monday.

The deadline had been Sept 4.

The change comes at the request of the National League of Cities, which said in an Aug. 26 letter to the board that there are an estimated 12,000 local governments in communities served by railroads, and that many have yet to determine if they will participate. The NLC noted that the original deadline was set Aug. 18 and the original date overlaps a period when many people are on vacation, as well as the Labor Day holiday weekend.

The STB said it considers the request to be reasonable and granted it. Other deadlines established in the Aug. 18 decision regarding UP (NYSE: UNP) and NS (NYSE: NSC) are unchanged.

Parties that file a notice of intent to participate receive copies of all filings in the proceeding and maintain the ability to comment during the merger review.

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