Comment EI-9414
Received or sent (printed as 9/1/2008)
Re: STB Finance Docket No. 35087 Canadian National and EJ & E Rail Merger The U.S. is confronting environmental challenges both related to energy consumption and highway overcrowding. Because increased use of rail mitigates these threats to the quality of life of all U.S. citizens, I firmly support this merger. I sincerely regret any threat, perceived or real, that some suburban Chicago citizens may feel towards increased train traffic thru their communities. However, this is not just a local issue. This merger has environmental, social, and economic implications to every community in America. As a resident of California, I do not want more trucks on our local roads because the Chicago gateway is so congested that businesses must move national freight to and from our state on trucks instead of rail. We need more rail freight in California and bottle necks in other regions effect the ability of our businesses to move freight from trucks to rail. This needlessly results in increased energy consumption and environmental degradation to all U.S. citizens, including those in suburban Chicago. We need more efficient rail, not less. You, as the STB, are conferred the responsibility to ensure that our transportation systems work efficiently on a national basis and as an integrated system for all citizens of the United States. The STB needs to protect and encourage the development of a true national transportation system that serves to grow national economic prosperity in an environmentally friendly manner. More efficient rail freight is a key component. Please consider the national environmental benefit of all citizens, not just the few who may see a minor inconvenience in their daily lives while the nation as a whole enjoys large environmental benefits. Sincerely, Michael R. Galarneau
Submitted by: Mike · San Diego, CA
The Board publishes this comment in its environmental-comment table for this proceeding. It is quoted here as printed; nothing is inferred from it, and it states the commenter's own position in their own words, not this record's.
Permanent address docketyard.org/d/FD-35087/comment/EI-9414 · back to the docket sheet