[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 63 (Friday, April 2, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16894-16895]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-7411]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Ex Parte No. 558 (Sub-No. 13)]


Railroad Cost of Capital--2009

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of decision instituting a proceeding to determine the 
railroad industry's 2009 cost of capital.

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SUMMARY: The Board is instituting a proceeding to determine the 
railroad

[[Page 16895]]

industry's cost of capital for 2009. The decision solicits comments on 
the following narrow issues: (1) The railroads' 2009 current cost of 
debt capital; (2) the railroads' 2009 current cost of preferred equity 
capital (if any); (3) the railroads' 2009 cost of common equity 
capital; (4) how the change in BNSF Railway Company's (BNSF's) share 
prices from November 2009 through December 2009, following the 
announcement of BNSF's acquisition by Berkshire Hathaway Inc., should 
be considered in calculating the 2009 cost of common equity capital; 
and (5) the 2009 capital structure mix of the railroad industry on a 
market value basis. Comments should focus on the various cost of 
capital components listed above using the same methodology followed in 
Railroad Cost of Capital--2008, Ex Parte No. 558 (Sub-No. 12) (STB 
served Sept. 25, 2009).

DATES: Notices of intent to participate are due by April 16, 2010. 
Statements of the railroads are due by May 17, 2010. Statements of 
other interested persons are due by June 15, 2010. Rebuttal statements 
by the railroads are due by July 15, 2010.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted either via the Board's e-filing 
system or in the traditional paper format. Any person using e-filing 
should comply with the instructions at the E-FILING link on the Board's 
Web site, at http://www.stb.dot.gov. Any person submitting a filing in 
the traditional paper format should send an original and 10 copies to: 
Surface Transportation Board, Attn: STB Ex Parte No. 558 (Sub-No. 13), 
395 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pedro Ramirez at (202) 245-0333. 
[Assistance for the hearing impaired is available through the Federal 
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Board's decision is posted on the 
Board's Web site, http://www.stb.dot.gov. Copies of the decision may be 
purchased by contacting the Board's Office of Public Assistance, 
Governmental Affairs, and Compliance at (202) 245-0235. Assistance for 
the hearing impaired is available through FIRS at 1-800-877-8339.
    This action will not significantly affect either the quality of the 
human environment or the conservation of energy resources.

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 10704(a).

    Decided: March 29, 2010.

    By the Board, Chairman Elliott, Vice Chairman Mulvey, and 
Commissioner Nottingham.
Kulunie L. Cannon,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2010-7411 Filed 4-1-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P