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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 Orders UP-NS Merger Applicants to Make Employee Data Public

07/22/2026 (Wednesday)
No. 26-18
Contact: | (202) 245-0245

The Surface Transportation Board today announced a decision ordering Union Pacific (UP) and Norfolk Southern (NS) (together, Applicants) to redesignate as public certain employee data submitted to the Board with their revised major merger application. [Click for full press release.]

STB Finalizes BNSF Access Terms to Ensure Competition in Lake Charles, Louisiana Area

07/21/2026 (Tuesday)
No. 26-17
Contact: | (202) 245-0245

The Surface Transportation Board today announced a decision establishing compensation terms for BNSF’s use of terminal trackage rights in the Lake Charles area of Louisiana, ensuring continued rail competition for local shippers. [Click for full press release.]

STB Authorizes New Rail Line in Webb County, TX

06/17/2026 (Wednesday)
No. 26-16
Contact: | (202) 245-0245

The Surface Transportation Board today issued a decision authorizing the construction and operation by Laredo Gateway Industrial Railway, LLC (LGIR) of an approximately 2.6-mile rail line in Webb County, Texas, creating a new freight rail option for shippers. [Click for full press release.]

Richard J. Kloster Sworn In as New Member of the Surface Transportation Board

06/05/2026 (Friday)
No. 26-15
Contact: | (202) 245-0245

Richard J. Kloster was sworn in today as a new member of the Surface Transportation Board. Mr. Kloster was confirmed by the Senate on May 18, 2026, for a term ending December 31, 2028. [Click for full press release.]

STB Launches New Case Status Page to Increase Transparency and Accountability

06/03/2026 (Wednesday)
No. 26-14
Contact: | (202) 245-0245

As part of the agency’s commitment to promoting transparency and accountability, the Surface Transportation Board today announced the launch of the agency’s new Case Status page. [Click for full press release.]

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.]