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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01), joined by a bipartisan group of seven members of the House of Representatives, sent a letter Friday to the Chairman of the Surface Transportation Board (STB) requesting they exercise their oversight authority to address the ongoing disruption in Union Pacific’s rail service to the upper Midwest region.
On December 29, 2022, Union Pacific announced a “catastrophic embargo” on rail service throughout the Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin region due to winter weather. On January 11, 2023, Union Pacific announced the embargo would be extended for an estimated additional fourteen days, further delaying service and disrupting the supply chain.
“Union Pacific’s ongoing rail embargo is unacceptable, which is why I am calling on the Surface Transportation Board to hold Union Pacific accountable and take steps to immediately restore reliable rail service for their customers,” said Congressman Finstad. “The effects of this disruption are placing an undue burden on our growers and producers, who rely on critical rail service for their livelihood.
“As a farmer, I know first-hand that any delay in rail service, certainly one lasting four weeks or more, adversely impacts our rural economy, and has a detrimental effect on the availability of products shipped by rail, including livestock feed and fertilizer, which farmers depend on. I am hopeful that this embargo will be lifted so that the business of America’s farmers, biofuel producers, and grain shippers can resume normal operations.”
Full text of the letter can be found here.
On December 29, 2022, Union Pacific announced a “catastrophic embargo” on rail service throughout the Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin region due to winter weather. On January 11, 2023, Union Pacific announced the embargo would be extended for an estimated additional fourteen days, further delaying service and disrupting the supply chain.
“Union Pacific’s ongoing rail embargo is unacceptable, which is why I am calling on the Surface Transportation Board to hold Union Pacific accountable and take steps to immediately restore reliable rail service for their customers,” said Congressman Finstad. “The effects of this disruption are placing an undue burden on our growers and producers, who rely on critical rail service for their livelihood.
“As a farmer, I know first-hand that any delay in rail service, certainly one lasting four weeks or more, adversely impacts our rural economy, and has a detrimental effect on the availability of products shipped by rail, including livestock feed and fertilizer, which farmers depend on. I am hopeful that this embargo will be lifted so that the business of America’s farmers, biofuel producers, and grain shippers can resume normal operations.”
Full text of the letter can be found here.
