WASHINGTON — With the federal government reopening following a record 43-day shutdown, the Surface Transportation Board has set a new deadline for filings due during the shutdown period.
In a decision issued today (Nov. 13, 2025), the board has dsaid that any submissions due between Oct. 1 and Nov. 12 — including comments on environmental documents — will now be due no later than Nov. 20. Parties seeking further modification to a schedule should request an extension. Documents that were submitted during the shutdown will be treated with today as the filing date and need not be resubmitted.
The board continues to operate with just three members following President Donald Trump’s firing of Democrat Robert Primus in August, a decision Primus is fighting in court [see “Primus challenges his dismissal …,” Trains.com, Oct. 1, 2025]. A Senate held a hearing earlier this month on a fourth member, nominee Richard Kloster, as well as the renomination of current STB member Michelle Schultz [see “STB nominees vow independence …,” Trains.com, Nov. 6, 2025]. Those nominations are awaiting confirmation by the full Senate.
