[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 127 (Friday, July 2, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 40470]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-15094]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Ex Parte No. 646]


Rail Rate Challenges in Small Cases

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board.

ACTION: Notice of public hearing.

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SUMMARY: The Surface Transportation Board will hold a public hearing on 
Wednesday, July 21, 2004, at its offices in Washington, DC, to provide 
interested persons an opportunity to express their views on the subject 
of Board processing of rail rate challenges that are not suitable for 
handling under the Board's constrained market pricing procedures. 
Persons wishing to speak at the hearing should notify the Board in 
writing.

DATES: The public hearing will take place on Wednesday, July 21, 2004. 
Any person wishing to speak at the hearing should file with the Board a 
written notice of intent to participate, and should indicate a 
requested time allotment, as soon as possible but no later than July 9, 
2004. Each speaker should also file with the Board his/her written 
testimony by July 16, 2004.

ADDRESSES: All notices of intent to participate and testimony may be 
submitted either via the Board's e-filing format or in the traditional 
paper format. Any person using e-filing should comply with the 
instructions found on the Board's http://www.stb.dot.gov Web site, at 
the ``E-FILING'' link. Any person submitting a filing in the 
traditional paper format should send an original and 10 paper copies of 
the filing (referring to STB Ex Parte No. 646) to: Surface 
Transportation Board, 1925 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20423-0001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph H. Dettmar, (202) 565-1609. 
(Assistance for the hearing impaired is available through the Federal 
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at: (800) 877-8339.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Board will hold a public hearing to 
provide a forum for the expression of views by rail shippers, 
railroads, and other interested persons, regarding rail rate challenges 
in small cases to be considered by the Board. This hearing will provide 
a forum for the oral discussion of any proposals that interested 
persons might wish to offer for handling small cases involving a 
challenge to the reasonableness of rates charged by a rail carrier. The 
Board is also interested in participants' views on how ``small rate 
cases'' should be defined or identified.
    Date of Hearing. The hearing will begin at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, 
July 21, 2004, in the 7th floor hearing room at the Board's 
headquarters in Washington, DC, and will continue, with short breaks if 
necessary, until every person scheduled to speak has been heard.
    Notice of Intent To Participate. Any person wishing to speak at the 
hearing should file a notice of intent to participate and a requested 
time allotment, as soon a possible but no later than July 9, 2004.
    Testimony. Each speaker should file written testimony with the 
Board by July 16, 2004.
    Board Releases and Live Audio Available Via the Internet. Decisions 
and notices of the Board, including this notice, are available on the 
Board's Web site at http://www.stb.dot.gov. This hearing will be 
available on the Board's Web site by live audio streaming. To access 
the hearing, click on the ``Live Audio'' link under ``Information 
Center'' at the left side of the home page beginning at 10 a.m. on July 
21, 2004.
    This action will not significantly affect either the quality of the 
human environment or the conservation of energy resources.

    Dated: June 29, 2004.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 04-15094 Filed 7-1-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P