FOR RELEASE
Contact: Janie Sheng (202) 245-0221
02/23/2010 (Tuesday)
Eric Weiss
No. 10-06


FedRelay 1 (800) 877-8339
www.stb.gov
ORAL ARGUMENT SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 24, 2010


The Surface Transportation Board has scheduled an oral argument for Wednesday, March 24, 2010, at 9:30 a.m., at the STB's Washington headquarters.


Board members will hear from parties in West Point Relocation, Inc. and Eli Cohen—
Petition for Declaratory Order, STB Finance Docket No. 35290.


In this proceeding, West Point Relocation, Inc. and Eli Cohen (collectively, "petitioners") seek a declaratory order as to whether it is an unreasonable practice for Horizon Lines LLC to issue tariff rules holding officers and directors of corporations personally liable for shipping charges incurred by a corporation. This matter was referred to the STB by the United States District Court for the Central District of California, on August 4, 2009, in Horizon Lines LLC v. West Point Relocation, No. CV 08-6362 RSWL (JTLx). Horizon Lines initiated the court proceeding to collect from the petitioners unpaid charges, accrued between 2007 and 2008, allegedly due under a tariff for the shipment of goods between U.S. mainland points and Hawaii.


Each side in the case will have 20 minutes to argue its position and to respond to questions from Board members, similar to proceedings in federal appellate courts. The oral argument is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. in the hearing room at STB headquarters, 395 E Street S.W. in Washington, DC. Though the proceedings are open to the public, only counsel for the parties to the cases will be permitted to speak. Photo identification is necessary to enter the building.


A live video broadcast of the oral argument will be available via the Board's Web site at http://www.stb.dot.gov, under "Information Center"/"Webcast"/"Live Video" on the home page.


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