STB slates hearing on coal train routing

The Surface Transportation Board announced Monday that it will hold oral argument Oct. 26, Washington, D.C in a closely-watched case involving a train routing complaint filed by Entergy Arkansas, Inc. and Entergy Services, Inc.

STB said the complaint asks the board to prescribe an alternative through route for the movement of coal from Wyoming’s Powder River Basin to a generating plant near Newark, Ark., that is owned jointly by Entergy and intervener Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp. and is directly served by the Missouri & Northern Arkansas Railroad Co.

“The alternative through route sought by Entergy would involve the movement of Powder River Basin coal that would originate on mines served by the BNSF Railway Co. and be interchanged from BNSF to MNA (or from BNSF to the Union Pacific Railroad Co. should UP subsequently replace MNA as the carrier directly serving Entergy’s plant) at either Lamar or Aurora, Mo. Entergy’s current service involves the through movement of coal that originates at Powder River Basin mines served by UP and is interchanged from UP to MNA at Diaz Junction, Ark, for an 8-mile movement to Entergy’s plant. The relief sought by Entergy is opposed by UP, MNA, and BNSF,” said STB.

STB said it is scheduling the oral argument to clarify the record “in this complex proceeding,” and the parties may not submit or discuss new evidence.