WASHINGTON, D.C.—Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today released the following statement in advance of Rail Customer Day, which will be held in Washington, D.C., tomorrow. At the event, rail shippers from across the nation will rally for passage of the Surface Transportation Board (STB) Reauthorization Act of 2009, Chairman Rockefeller’s bill to increase rail competition, improve shippers’ access to regulatory relief, and strengthen the STB’s oversight of the rail industry. 

Chairman Rockefeller’s statement follows:

“It is critically important that we have a competitive, efficient, and balanced transportation network to ensure the success of our economy and rural communities. The effects of deregulation and recent rate hikes again emphasize the need to fix the current rail oversight structure to support more competition and fairness for captive rail shippers.

“I am committed to passing my Surface Transportation Board Reauthorization Act of 2009 this year, which will do just that – balance the scales at the Board to make sure more shippers have access to a fair process.

“It is essential that we act now during this critical time for our economy to lay the foundation for the future. Doing so will help rail expand its role and, in turn, help the economy to thrive and grow in the twenty-first century.”

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