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On Aug. 7, Surface Transportation Board dismissed a rate complaint filed by Northern States Power Co. after the utility and Union Pacific Railroad privately resolved their differences.

In January 2001, Northern States challenged the reasonableness of UP's rates to move coal from various origins to the utility's electric generating facilities in Burnsville and Bayport, Minn.

"The board continues to encourage railroads and their customers to resolve their commercial disputes privately where possible," said STB Chairman Roger Nober in a prepared statement.

The board expected to issue a ruling on the case Aug. 1, but Northern States and UP filed a joint petition July 11 asking STB to temporarily suspend the case to give the parties time to reach an agreement.