FOR RELEASE
Contact: Janie Sheng (202) 245-0221
12/23/2011 (Friday)
Eric Weiss
No. 11-32


FedRelay 1 (800) 877-8339
www.stb.gov



SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD SCHEDULES JAN. 17 ORAL ARGUMENT


The federal Surface Transportation Board will hold an oral argument on Tuesday, January 17, 2012, at its Washington, D.C. headquarters.


The BNSF Railway Company currently transports chlorine shipments of Canexus Chemicals Canada, L.P. between North Vancouver, B.C. and Kansas City, Mo., and between Marshall, Wash., and Kansas City, Mo. in joint line service under temporary rates. According to Canexus' complaint, BNSF interchanges with the Union Pacific Railroad Company in Kansas City, and UP then hauls the shipments to final destinations in Illinois, Texas, and Arkansas. A dispute has arisen from BNSF's indication that, in the future, it will transport the chlorine only as far as Portland, Ore. for movements originating from North Vancouver, and only as far as Spokane, Wash. for movements originating from Marshall, where BNSF will then interchange with UP. Canexus and UP object to BNSF's proposed interchange points. Canexus has asked the Board to issue an order compelling BNSF to establish common carrier rates and service terms for transportation between both the North Vancouver-Kansas City and Marshall-Kansas City routes.


By January 12, 2012, each party must submit to the Board the name of counsel who will be presenting argument and the party represented. Canexus and UP will have 30 minutes to present their argument, as will BNSF. Canexus and UP must advise the Board how they choose to divide their time, and the amount of time requested for rebuttal, if any. The oral argument will begin at 9:30 a.m. in the hearing room at STB headquarters, 395 E Street, S.W., in Washington, D.C. Though the proceedings are open to the public, only counsel to the parties to the case will be permitted to speak. Photo identification is necessary to enter the building.


A live video broadcast of the oral argument, in Canexus Chemicals Canada L.P. v. BNSF Railway Company—Oral Argument, Docket No. NOR 42131, will be available via the Board's website, at www.stb.dot.gov, under "Information Center/Webcast/Live Video" on the home page.


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