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Below are news releases issued by the Surface Transportation Board since the beginning of 2019.  News releases issued prior to 2019 are available here.

STB Accepts UP-NS Merger Application for Consideration; Requires Supplemental Information and Holds Proceedings in Abeyance

05/28/2026 (Thursday)
No. 26-13
Contact: | (202) 245-0245

The Surface Transportation Board (STB or Board) today announced a unanimous decision accepting for consideration the revised major merger application filed by Union Pacific (UP) and Norfolk Southern (NS) (together, Applicants), along with a related application. [Click for full press release.]

STB Issues Final Environmental Assessment for Proposed New Rail Line in Webb County, TX

05/27/2026 (Wednesday)
No. 26-12
Contact: | (202) 245-0245

The Surface Transportation Board’s Office of Environmental Analysis (OEA) today issued a Final Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed construction and operation of approximately 2.6 miles of new rail line in Webb County, Texas. [Click for full press release.]

STB Institutes Proceeding, Streamlines Permitting for New Rail Line in Nevada

05/22/2026 (Friday)
No. 26-11
Contact: | (202) 245-0245

The Surface Transportation Board today instituted a proceeding to consider a proposal by Nevada Gold Rail LLC (NG Rail) to construct a rail line in Nevada. In today’s decision, the Board waives certain requirements to streamline the permitting process. [Click for full press release.]

STB Streamlines and Strengthens Data Collection; Introduces Beta Version of Data Portal

05/08/2026 (Friday)
No. 26-10
Contact: | (202) 245-0245

The Surface Transportation Board today announced several actions in continuation of the agency’s efforts to enhance, focus, and automate agency data collections as part of a broader data modernization initiative. [Click for full press release.]

STB Receives Revised Merger Application from Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern; Sets Deadlines for Comments on Completeness

04/30/2026 (Thursday)
No. 26-09
Contact: | (202) 245-0245

The Surface Transportation Board today announced that it has received a revised major merger application from Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern. [Click for full press release.]

STB Authorizes Green Eagle Railroad Line in Maverick County, TX

04/22/2026 (Wednesday)
No. 26-08
Contact: | (202) 245-0245

The Surface Transportation Board today issued a decision authorizing the construction and operation by Green Eagle Railroad (GER) of an approximately 1.3-mile rail line in Eagle Pass and Maverick County, Texas. [Click for full press release.]

STB Issues Draft Environmental Assessment for Proposed New Rail Line in Webb County, TX

04/10/2026 (Friday)
No. 26-07
Contact: | (202) 245-0245

The Surface Transportation Board’s Office of Environmental Analysis (OEA) today issued a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed construction and operation of a new rail line in Webb County, Texas. [Click for full press release.]

STB Proposes Comprehensive Permitting Reform to Streamline its Processes and Lower Infrastructure Costs

03/25/2026 (Wednesday)
No. 26-06
Contact: | (202) 245-0245

The Surface Transportation Board (STB or Board) today issued a unanimous decision proposing a comprehensive rule to modernize and reform its permitting process. [Click for full press release.]

STB Issues Final Environmental Assessment for Proposed New Rail Line in Mesa, Arizona

02/27/2026 (Friday)
No. 26-05
Contact: | (202) 245-0245

The Surface Transportation Board’s Office of Environmental Analysis (OEA) today issued a Final Environmental Assessment (Final EA) for the proposed construction of approximately six miles of new rail line in Mesa, Arizona by Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP). [Click for full press release.]