UP

(Map Courtesy of Tulsa Ports)

Report: Port of Inola’s Rail Project Advances

The City of Tulsa-Rogers County Port Authority in Oklahoma has awarded a $15.768 million contract to Chicago-based Ragnar Benson LLC for the construction of a 4.4-mile rail spur at the Tulsa Port of Inola, according to a Dec. 4 Tulsa World report.

NS will present 15 customers and suppliers with inaugural Thoroughbred Sustainability Partner Awards in January 2023.

Class I Briefs: NS, UP

Norfolk Southern (NS) recognizes 15 customers and suppliers for leadership in energy efficiency, innovation and environmental stewardship. Also, Union Pacific (UP) reports the Mexican government’s extension of the Carta Porte grace period.

STB to UP: Explain Embargo Escalation

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) is ordering Union Pacific (UP) President and CEO Lance Fritz and other top UP executives to appear at a Dec. 13-14 public hearing on what it’s calling a “substantial increase” in the Class I railroad’s use of embargoes as a method of reducing rail traffic congestion. UP responds.

NS Vice President Audit and Compliance Susan Stuart (left); NS Assistant Vice President Sourcing Jacqueline Gray (center); and at Union Pacific, UPVETS President David LaPlante and Air National Guard Member Jacquelynn Harris recently presented her supervisor Brett Hiscock, General Director, Tech, with an ESGR Patriotic Employer Award.

People News: NS, UP

Norfolk Southern (NS) Vice President Audit and Compliance Susan Stuart will retire on March 1, 2023. Succeeding her will be 14-year NS veteran Jacqueline Gray. Also, Union Pacific General Director, Tech Brett Hiscock has earned an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Award from the U.S. Department of Defense.

Of the $3.55 billion in BNSF’s 2022 capital expenditure plan, about $580 million went toward projects that support the growth of its Consumer, Agricultural and Industrial Products customers’ businesses. (Photograph Courtesy of BNSF)

Class I Briefs: BNSF, CN/CP, UP

BNSF is wrapping up several major capital projects to boost capacity and operational efficiency. Also, CN and Canadian Pacific (CP) are among Canada’s Top 100 Employers for 2023; and Union Pacific (UP) and Portland (Ore.) Community College are launching a career technical-education initiative for welding technology, electrical trades, diesel service, machine manufacturing, and other trade career paths.

Gov. Tate Reeves signs into law Senate Bills 2000 and 2001 and House Bill 1 paving the way for "the largest economic development investment in state history" with Steel Dynamics investing $2.5 billion in Lowdnes County Infinity Mega Site.

Steel Dynamics to Invest $2.5B at KCS’ Infinity Megasite

Steel Dynamics, along with its subsidiaries and partners, will invest $2.5 billion into a new aluminum flat rolled facility and biocarbon plant at the Infinity Megasite, a KCS Premier Certified Site in Columbus, Miss., the company announced Nov. 2 in a release.

UP Issues 2022 Climate Action Plan

Union Pacific (UP) on Nov. 15 published a 2022 Climate Action Plan outlining efforts to reduce its environmental impact, to achieve its science-based target, and to attain net zero emissions by 2050.

Union Pacific’s (UP) David LaPlante, right, comes from a Navy family, which includes his grandfather, Kenneth Einig, center, and uncle, Ken Einig, left. (Caption and Photograph Courtesy of UP)
Commentary

For One Veteran, the Mission Continues at UP

Why do veterans like me, a former Navy Petty Officer, choose to pursue careers at Union Pacific (UP), and more importantly, why do we stay? After all, 17% of UP’s workforce are veterans. Many of my veteran co-worker buddies will answer this question differently, but the common response is: UP is “mission focused.”

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