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The Surface Transportation Board (STB) will hold a public hearing on July 29 to determine whether BNSF Railway Co. can deny service to coal shippers who don’t follow the railroad’s coal dust dispersal rules.

Board members will review a case filed by Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp., which questions whether BNSF can establish rules regarding dust dispersion from coal trains operating over its lines and refuse to provide rail service to shippers who don’t comply with those rules.

The STB will decide if the coal dust dispersal rules constitute an “unreasonable practice” and violate BNSF’s common carrier obligation.