Statement on Draft EIS for Proposed Acquisition of EJ&E Rail Line

Press Release

Congressman Peter J. Roskam (R-IL) issued the following statement in response to the Surface Transportation Board's (STB) release of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed acquisition of the EJ&E rail line:

"After an initial review of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, I am disappointed with a number of aspects. For starters, the Surface Transportation Board estimates show that if this transaction is to be approved, we will increase oil consumption by 17,000 barrels of oil per year. Freight rail is supposed to reduce fuel consumption. We do not need to be encouraging increased consumption, but increased conservation.

"Further, the STB acknowledges that substantial obstacles will face completion of the STAR Line. We're going to increase fuel consumption and make it difficult to take cars off the road for commuters? We can do better.

"Eleven fire and emergency medical service providers, including the Bartlett Fire Protection District, will suffer ‘substantial effects,' but there is inadequate mitigation proposed. The STB also indicates that this transaction will increase emissions the equivalent of adding 1,000 cars to our roadways. We can do better, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to forge a better solution to this challenge."

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