WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) President & CEO Chris Jahn today praised the Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) recently released report from the Rail Reform Task Force on recommending improvements to the process for reviewing excessive rail rates.
“This report is good news for rail shippers,” said Jahn. “With rate review cases costing an average of $5 to $10 million and taking 3 to 5 years to litigate, the current process clearly does not work. Since 2005, rail rates for anhydrous ammonia, an essential fertilizer used by farmers, have spiked over 200%. Modernizing oversight of rail rates is much needed and long overdue.”
“TFI and our members look forward to working closely with the STB to adopt reforms that better reflect the modern-day rail marketplace,” continued Jahn. “The fertilizer industry thanks Chairman Ann Begeman and the Board for their interest in making the rate review process work for shippers and for railroads. That’s how we are going to keep the U.S. economy on track.”
Facts about moving fertilizer via rail:
- Half of all fertilizer moves by rail
- Moving fertilizer by rail instead of truck reduces GHG emissions by 75%
- One rail car carries the equivalent of four truck loads
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The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) is the leading voice of the nation’s fertilizer industry. Tracing its roots back to 1883, TFI’s membership includes fertilizer producers, wholesalers, retailers and trading firms. TFI’s full-time staff, based in Washington, D.C., serves its members through legislative, educational, technical, economic information and public communication programs. Find more information about TFI online at TFI.org and follow us on Twitter at @Fertilizer_Inst. Learn more about TFI’s nutrient stewardship initiatives at nutrientstewardship.org and on Twitter at @4rnutrients.
