The Deciders

What happens when the railroad won’t come? In an emergency, @STB_Newsroom can “order another railroad to bring chlorine cars to that water treatment facility.” Chairman Patrick Fuchs with @BrodyMullinsDC and @CamoosoMiller. Full conversation on YouTube ↓

One rail carload ≈ three or four trucks. One train can run 100 to 150 cars. And on chlorine, @STB_Newsroom Chairman Patrick Fuchs: “I don’t necessarily want to be driving by a series of trucks carrying chlorine. That stuff goes on rail.” Full conversation on YouTube ↓

Same track. Same cement plant. A Class 1 railroad builds with no permit. A short line gets “a 1,000-page, one-year review, $500,000.” As permitting reform heads into the lame duck, @STB_Newsroom Chairman Patrick Fuchs is cutting steps on his own. Full conversation on YouTube ↓

Congress gave rail shippers a competition tool in 1980. In 40-plus years, the board never granted it under its own rules. @STB_Newsroom Chairman Patrick Fuchs wants those rules gone. Protection or paperwork? Full conversation with @BrodyMullinsDC and @CamoosoMiller on YouTube ↓

Nobody regulates the price of a Big Mac. A grain elevator in Montana with one railroad is different. @STB_Newsroom Chairman Patrick Fuchs: “We can only regulate rates for the people that don’t have any other options.” Full conversation on YouTube ↓