Growing Freight Rail Crisis Threatens America's Economic Security

This growing crisis is getting increased attention in Washington, D.C., where more than 270 rail customers, representing more than 10 industries and from more than 35 states, recently urged Congress to reform the nation's rail system to help ensure a strong, competitive American economy.

In response, a bipartisan group of congressional leaders has introduced two pieces of legislation to remove the railroads' antiquated antitrust exemptions so they play by the same rules that govern other American industries, and make the railroads more accountable and competitive by reforming the Surface Transportation Board, the federal agency charged with overseeing the railroads.

"A reliable, efficient freight rail system is critical for a strong, competitive American economy," says Glenn English, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and chair of Consumers United for Rail Equity (CURE). "The lack of competition in the nation's freight rail system is jeopardizing the economic security of the country."

Congress last focused on national rail policy in 1980, when it attempted to move the rail industry away from pervasive regulation and toward competition to ensure a healthy, competitive rail system able to serve all Americans. "However," adds English, "Congress did not finish the job. As a result, American railroads today are functioning like monopolies-earning record profits and abusing their market power with unreliable deliveries and unreasonably high costs."

Jack Gerard, president and CEO of the American Chemistry Council and a member of the Consumers United for Rail Equity (CURE) campaign, Sen. David Vitter (R-La.), Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.), Scott Parsley, board member of American Coalition for Ethanol, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Jim Kerr, president of National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners urge Congress to act on rail reform at a Capitol Hill press conference.

To learn more, visit www.rail cure.org. To let your elected officials know your opinion about this or any other issue, visit www.house.gov and www. senate.gov.

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