FOR RELEASE
Contact: Dennis Watson
11/17/2003 (Monday)
(202) 565-1596
No. 03-47
FIRS 1 (800) 877-8339
www.stb.gov


Surface Transportation Board Announces Success of Discovery Conference in Major Rail-Rate Case


Surface Transportation Board (Board) Chairman Roger Nober today announced that AEP Texas North Company and The Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway Company resolved all 10 of the outstanding discovery issues at the conference table in the major railroad rate-complaint case in which they are involved.



In announcing the conference's success, Chairman Nober said,

"I appreciate the determination and cooperation that each party has brought to the table in this case. The discovery issues mutually resolved by the parties will save both parties time and expense in their litigation. I also commend the Board's staff for assisting the parties in reaching agreement."



The discovery conference (where parties discuss requests for information) brought together representatives of the AEP Texas North Company, The Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway Company, and the Board concerning outstanding requests for information that arose in the rate case entitled AEP Texas North Company v. The Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway Company, STB NOR 41191 (Sub-No. 1). Conferences like this were mandated by a rule change in the proceeding entitled Procedures to Expedite Resolution of Rail Rate Challenges to Be Considered under the Stand-Alone Cost Methodology, STB Ex Parte No. 638.



A printed copy of the Board's November 14, 2003 decision in NOR 41191 (Sub-No. 1) is available for a fee by contacting ASAP Document Solutions, Suite 405, 1925 K Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20006, telephone (202) 293-7878, or via asapdoc.@verizon.net. The decision also is available for viewing and downloading via the Board's website at http://www.stb.dot.gov.


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