(The following Associated Press article was posted on the Aberdeen American News website on August 29.)
BROOKINGS, S.D. — Former South Dakota Rep. John Thune has been selected to help mediate a dispute over railroad rates.
The federal Surface Transportation Board has named the Sioux Falls Republican to the post.
The dispute involves rates set by Burlington Northern Sante Fe that are being challenged by a utility, AEP Texas North Co.
At issue are rates Burlington Northern charges to haul coal from Wyoming’s Powder River Basin.
Roger Nober, STB chairman, said it was the first case to be eligible for the board’s new mandatory mediation.
Thune also serves as senior government relations adviser for a Washington, D.C., law and lobbying firm and he heads a consulting company in Sioux Falls.