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Add the U.S. railroads' common carrier obligation to the "hot-button issues" list.

In response to a higher-than-anticipated number of parties seeking to speak up on the subject, the Surface Transportation Board has extended its upcoming "Common Carrier Obligation of Railroads" (STB Ex Parte No. 677) public hearing from one day to two. The hearing now will be held April 24 and 25, 2008, at STB headquarters, 395 E Street, S.W., Washington, D.C.

The speakers' list includes representatives from five Class Is, four short lines, the Association of American Railroads, and the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association.

Rail customers scheduled to speak include representatives from eight chemical shippers, five grain shippers and/or officials representing "agricultural interests," four coal shippers and utilities, one paper manufacturer, and the National Industrial Transportation League.  

Three state government officials also plan to speak.