SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD TO BEGIN HOLDING ORAL ARGUMENTS IN MAJOR CASES

[STBNews@xxxxxxxxxxx]

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>From the Surface Transportation Board, Washington, D.C.
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Surface Transportation Board Chairman Daniel R. Elliott III announced today
that the Board will begin holding public oral arguments in major cases.

          The oral arguments will give parties an opportunity to directly
          address the Board and allow Board members a chance to ask
          questions before making a decision. The format will be similar to
          oral arguments held in federal appellate courts. While the
          proceedings will be open to the public, only counsel for the
          parties will be allowed to present argument.

          "This is another way to demystify the process," said Elliott, who
          has made bringing additional openness and transparency to STB
          decision-making a priority. "Hearing from parties directly and
          having the opportunity to ask them questions will help us make
          better decisions."

          Elliott, who was appointed STB Chairman by President Obama in
          July, said he plans to review other Board policies and procedures
          to make sure they are as inclusive and open as possible. Chairman
          Elliott said he plans to make oral arguments a regular part of
          the Board's decision process on selected cases. He also plans to
          overhaul the Board's Web site, www.stb.dot.gov, to make more
          information more readily available to stakeholders and the
          public.

          "We are doing the public's business and the public should be able
          to quickly and easily learn what we are doing,'' Elliott said.


          The first scheduled oral argument will be on Oct. 27 at 9:30 a.m.
          at STB headquarters at 395 E Street SW in Washington. The Board
          will hear argument in Entergy Arkansas, Inc. and Entergy
          Services, Inc. v. Union Pacific Railroad Company and Missouri &
          Northern Arkansas Railroad Company, Inc., STB Docket No. 42104
          and DesertXpress Enterprises, LLC—Petition for Declaratory Order,
          STB Finance Docket No. 34914.

          The Board has also scheduled oral arguments for Nov. 23, but a
          list of cases to be argued then has not been finalized.
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