Updates
Preliminary Consultation Initiated
On August 18, 2026, the Board served a decision that lifted the abeyance in this proceeding, restarting the environmental review process. OEA distributed preliminary consultation materials to agencies, Tribes, and elected officials on August 19, 2026. Comments are due by September 21, 2026.
Welcome to the project website for information on the Surface Transportation Board’s environmental review of the proposed Union Pacific acquisition of Norfolk Southern.
Introduction
On April 30, 2026, Union Pacific Corporation (UPC), Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP), Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC), and Norfolk Southern Railway Company (NS) (collectively, Applicants) filed a revised application with the Surface Transportation Board (Board) in Docket No. FD 36873 seeking authority for (1) the acquisition of control by UPC of NSC, and through NSC of NS and NS’s rail carrier subsidiaries, and (2) the resulting common control by UPC of UP and NS and the consolidation of the rail operations of UP and NS (the Transaction).
To thoroughly assess the potential environmental impacts that may result from the Transaction, the Board’s Office of Environmental Analysis (OEA) will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act and related environmental laws.
Further information about OEA and the Board’s environmental review process is available here: https://www.stb.gov/about-stb/offices/office-of-environmental-analysis/
Last updated on August 19, 2026