(The Associated Press circulated the following article on July 21.)
WASHINGTON — A bill in the U.S. Senate would encourage the Surface Transportation Board to curb anti-competitive railroad practices in Montana and other states.
Senator Conrad Burns amended a transportation spending bill, which would prompt the board to review and consider more complaints, by small shippers and others, who want to see more competition on the rails.
Railroad shippers who send coal, grain and other products around the country complain they are “captive” to higher prices and equipment shortages in some states, including Montana and North Dakota. They say it’s because of a lack of railroad competition.
They also argue they are forced to pay inflated fuel surcharges.
The spending legislation passed through a Senate committee yesterday, and will now head to the Senate floor.