Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL-13th) today issued the following statement after the Surface Transportation Board (STB) released a decision denying Canadian National’s (CN) request for an expedited ruling on its proposed acquisition of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway (EJ&E) line:
 
           “The STB made the right call.  Let’s hope they do it again when the time comes for a final decision.  This issue is too important to the safety and quality of life of suburban residents for federal regulators to speed through or take lightly.
 
           “CN’s arrogant attempt to pressure federal regulators into making a rash decision was completely unreasonable.  The STB’s purpose is to evaluate the true impact a merger would have before making a decision, not after.  We want the STB to take all the time they need to do a thorough and complete review before any final determinations are made.
 
           “I remain committed to working with my colleagues in Congress and other Illinois officials to block any further attempts by CN to recklessly force this merger through.”
 
Editor’s note: Tomorrow, September 9, 2008, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure will hold a hearing on H.R. 6707, the Taking Responsible Action for Community Safety (TRACS) Act, which would require the STB to weigh the public costs a merger would have against the transportation benefits.  For a merger to proceed, the adverse impacts on communities could not outweigh the transportation benefits.  The STB also would have the authority to set stricter mitigation conditions on a merger.  Rep. Biggert, one of the chief sponsors of the legislation, will testify during the first witness panel at 11 am EST.  A live webcast will be available at http://transportation.house.gov.

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