WASHINGTON — Attorneys General in three states — including the headquarters states of both railroads — have announced their support for the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger.
In a Nov. 20 letter to Surface Transportation Board Chairman Patrick J. Fuchs, Attorneys General Chris Carr of Georgia, Mike Higlers of Nebraska, and J.B. McCuskey of West Virginia wrote that they hope the board “will give regulatory approval to the merger in a timely fashion.”
The latter says the merger will “further strengthen the efficiency, reliability and effectiveness of our freight rail system,” citing reductions in car handling and interchange delays that they say will lower costs. “In short,” they write, “the proposed merger, like our freight railroad system itself, will promote economic growth and environmental sustainability.”
All three of the attorneys general are Republicans. Nine other Republican Attorneys General previously wrote the board to express concerns about the merger’s potential effects on competition, rates, and service [see “Nine state attorneys general raise concerns …,” Trains.com, Nov. 15, 2025].
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Thanks, David Lassen. So many times we as readers wonder if we are considered/listened to. Quick comeback. regards mike endmrw1129251035
Just wondering what transportation or railroad experience the AG’s have? I wonder if the UP PR department wrote the letter for the Nebraska AG?
A question for anonymous author “Trains Staff” : Have any other than the twelve mentioned Attorneys General written to the STB with merger opinions, and if so, what was their political party affiliation, and was their recommendation for or against the merger? Just wondering…WALTER FRITZ…OBER, INDIANA…574-772-4766
Walter, these are the only Attorneys General to address the STB so far. Rest assured that since we’ve written about these two groups, we will keep an eye out for additional comments. — David Lassen, senior editor.