After Push from Klobuchar and Franken, Surface Transportation Board Will Require BNSF Railway Company to Submit Detailed Plan to Help Mitigate Future Coal Shortages

Press Release

After a push from U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, the Surface Transportation Board (STB) will require BNSF Railway Company to submit a detailed plan outlining how it will help mitigate future coal shortages. Earlier this year, Klobuchar and Franken sent a letter to the chairman of the STB in support of a petition from the Western Coal Traffic League to require BNSF to provide a coal service recovery plan to help ensure utilities receive timely shipments of coal.

"With winter weather bearing down on Minnesota, rail companies like BNSF need to have plans in place to ensure that utilities have enough coal to heat homes and businesses and prevent prices from skyrocketing for consumers," Klobuchar said. "I'm pleased that the STB responded to our calls for action, and I'll keep pushing to address future shortages and protect families in Minnesota and across the country."

"Disruptions in rail service caused rising prices and subpar service across Minnesota," Franken said. "I'm glad that we've seen action taken to direct BNSF to report how they would respond to dangerously low coal supplies at power plants that they serve. I'll continue working hard to monitor rail service in Minnesota, and push for stronger action from the STB if the situation worsens again."

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