STB seeks chlorine comment, O.K.s railroad sale

STB seeks chlorine comment, O.K.s railroad sale The Surface Transportation Board is accepting comments regarding a petition by Union Pacific railroad over whether it is required to quote rates for the long-haul shipment of chlorine.
   'The chlorine movements at issue would average 1,900 miles in distance and travel through two High Threat Urban Areas and several other large cities,' the STB said Tuesday. 'UP declined to quote rates for these movements pending the outcome of this proceeding. UP believes the risk of potential exposure from long-distance chlorine shipments is unnecessary, as all four destinations are located fewer than 300 miles from ample alternative chlorine supplies. In addition, UP states that other governmental agencies have requested that UP find ways to reduce such toxic-inhalation-hazard shipments to reduce TIH transportation risks.'
   Interested parties can file comments on UP’s petition by March 31.
   The notice is available here.
   Also on Tuesday, the STB approved the joint control and ownership of Pan Am Southern LLC (PAS), a new railroad carrier, by the Norfolk Southern Railway Co., Pan Am Railways (PARI), and two of PARI’s rail subsidiaries, the Boston and Maine Corp. and the Springfield Terminal Railway Co.
   'The board found that the control transaction, along with its related operational agreements, should produce substantial transportation benefits to the New England region,' the board said. 'PAS will operate approximately 437 miles of track, including an east-west section called the Patriot Corridor between points in New York and Massachusetts, and a north-south section between Vermont and Connecticut. (Norfolk Southern) has committed to infuse $87.5 million into PAS for infrastructure improvements in order to improve traffic flows and expand capacity.
   'The board found that this 'end-to-end' transaction will not result in a substantial lessening of competition, the creation of a monopoly, or a restraint of trade in freight surface transportation in any region of the United States. Rather, the board determined that the transaction and the resulting upgraded east-west main line route should significantly increase competition.'
   That decision is available here.