News Releases for January 2004
January 3, 2004
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Hoeven, Clark, BNSF Officials Meet With STB On Rail Policies
STB Calls On BNSF To Present Plan For Clearing Backlog
BISMARCK, N.D. - At the request of Gov. John Hoeven and Public Service Commissioner Tony Clark, the federal Surface Transportation Board (STB) is bringing the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad (BNSF) to Washington, D.C. on Monday to address shipping delays in North Dakota. Hoeven and Clark asked STB Chairman Roger Nober last month to require the railroad to disclose what additional resources it will provide to clear up costly shipping delays at North Dakota grain elevators.
“BNSF is behind as much as 45 days at elevators that don’t service shuttle trains, and that’s just unacceptable,” Hoeven said. “This puts real financial strain on our grain elevators. Their credit lines are stretched because they can’t get their products to market and get paid for it. Also, grain that is still piled on the ground, is steadily deteriorating in quality.”
PSC Commissioner Clark said, “"Adequate rail service is critically important to North Dakota because when it comes to getting our agricultural products to market we have little alternative. At our upcoming meeting, I'm looking for more than just explanations of why the grain car shortage is hitting North Dakota so hard. I'm interested in specific strategies the railroad will implement to alleviate the current problem and to help ensure it does not get this bad again."
The Governor and a delegation of grain dealers met last month with Nober to push for reform of railroad service in North Dakota. Monday’s meeting comes in response to that meeting and a subsequent letter Hoeven and Clark sent to the chairman requesting that the federal agency hold BNSF accountable for the delays, and pressing for a remedy.
In addition to the short-term assistance from the STB, Hoeven, Clark, and the North Dakota Grain Dealers Association are seeking reduced rates and improved service levels through a rail rate complaint on behalf of North Dakota shippers. The Public Service Commission is conducting a study on rates, which should be completed by spring or early summer.
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