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Surface Transportation Board Oct. 4 approved Midwest Generation L.L.C.'s plan to build a 4,007-foot line in Will County, Ill., that would connect the electric power utility's Joliet Generating Station to a nearby Union Pacific Railroad line and cross track owned by Illinois Central Railroad Co. (IC).


The Joliet facility, which receives coal that UP moves from Wyoming's Powder River Basin to an IC interchange a few hundred yards from the plant, currently is served solely by IC. The line would provide Midwest Generation access to both UP's and IC's lines.


STB ruled that Midwest generation's plan to cross IC's track wouldn't interfere with railroad's line operation. The board also determined that if both parties can't agree on crossing-operation terms and compensation Midwest Generation would pay IC, STB would issue a subsequent decision dealing with that matter.