Rail Merger Draws Farm Opposition
A proposed railroad merger that would stretch from coast to coast is drawing opposition from one national farm organization.
National Farmers Union says it opposes the proposed combination of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, arguing decades of railroad consolidation have left farmers with fewer shipping options, higher rates and less reliable service.
If approved, the two railroads would create a roughly 50,000-mile network spanning 43 states. California is directly in that footprint, with the Surface Transportation Board identifying rail lines and facilities in the state that could see operational changes exceeding its thresholds for environmental review. Merger-related capital improvements are also proposed in California.
Union Pacific says the combination would create more single-line routes and improve reliability and market access. The company says agricultural businesses are among more than 500 customers supporting the proposal.
The merger is far from final. Comments on the application are due to the Surface Transportation Board November 18.
