STB’s MERGER RULES DRAW NO APPEALS FROM INDUSTRY

STBÆs MERGER RULES DRAW NO APPEALS FROM INDUSTRY    Despite industry outcry when the U.S. Surface Transportation Board issued new rules for major railroad mergers and consolidations, the STB said Monday that no petitions for judicial review have been filed challenging the board's new rules.
   The merger rules, issued June 11 and on July 11, impose heavier burdens on railroads to show that proposed mergers are consistent with public interest and will enhance competition. The rules addressed other issues such as impact of mergers on service, including plans for service reliability.
   A 60-day window that allowed for filing of petitions for judicial review of the board's decision ended August 10.
   The ruling may be downloaded from the STB's Web site at https://www.stb.dot.gov .