Of the 15 new members appointed to the STB’s Railroad-Shipper Transportation Advisory Council, only 7 represent shippers, and none represent members of the Alliance for Rail Competition (ARC) nor Consumers United for Rail Equity (CURE). That’s not to say ExxonMobile or Georgia Pacific don’t have captive production facilities somewhere (which I presume they do), and certainly some of those shortlines represented have had problems with captivity to only one Class I connection (or paper barriers to a second Class I connection), but it seems to me that if the STB was sincere in trying to address problems of captive rail shippers they would want it straight from the horse’s mouth so to speak aka those captive shippers most affected by rail captivity.
Shouldn’t a panel set up to address “rail-car supply, service, rates, competition and dispute resolution” have participants that have become so disenamored with shoddy rail service and are on the short end of the differential pricing spectrum that they form groups such as ARC and CURE? Is this (exclusion of ARC and CURE members) the STB’s way of trying to marginalize the concerns of captive shippers?
The intent was to help small shippers, Exxonmobile and Georgia Pacific and the like are considered by the STB to be big enough to take any action they deem necessary by themselves.
In the past ExxonMobil had large production facilities served by just one railroad. All of these facilities, excpt the Billings refinery, are now served by more than one railroad. In ExxonMobil’s world the Billings refinery drops off their radar screen. I will bet most EM executives in Irving, TX are not aware there is a refinery in Billings.
ARC and CURE are not players in Washington, DC. Look at the total lack of movement on their legislative agenda. They have been pushing legislation for almost a decade and it never even gets out of committe. Washington is happy with the Staggers Act and do not want to make changes. What they are unhappy about are service meltdowns flowing from mergers.
I seldom disagree with you, but I will bet that the folk in Irving DO know about the Billings refinery, or at least I will bet the recently retired Mr. Raymond did. There wasnt too much that slipped under his radar screen.
Dave, I appreciate you putting your flame resistant suit on. Why dont you contact the STB and see if they respond.
With 7 of 15 representing shippers it sound pretty close to a 50/50 split between railroads and customers. Evidently both (ARC) and (CURE) are not as skilled in the art of influencing our friends in the halls of congress. Having worked inside the beltway ( Wash., D.C.) for ten years I have seen how when you lubricate the wheels of congress with the right grease things happen. The right word goes in the right ear and ADRA-CADABRA like magic you have your appointment. Its a very old game but it’s still played the same way. I beleive you allready know the answer to your own question. While Justice may be blind she’s not deaf. If enough people make enough noise we may be heard. Perhaps we all need the STB on our speed dial and maybe, just maybe you can tip the scales in you favor. It apparently works for the class 1’s who prefer to use the power of there dollars to weigh things there way. One thing is certain, if you do nothing then you will have no right to complain about the outcome. It’s the squeaking wheel that gets the grease. Make noise, be heard and good luck!!! [2c] As always ENJOY