Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern defend completeness of merger application
WASHINGTON — Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern defended their merger application as complete and urged federal regulators to reject requests to slow down the review.
In filings to the Surface Transportation Board, Union Pacific said efforts to delay the process are coming primarily from “competitors who will experience increased competition as a result of the merger.” The railroads argued the application includes what regulators need to begin evaluating the proposed deal.
The question of whether an application is “complete” matters because it affects the timeline and structure of the federal review. If the STB determines the filing is sufficient, the agency can proceed with its formal evaluation rather than pausing the case to demand additional material before moving forward.
For trucking and freight customers, major rail consolidation can shape how freight moves across the country. Rail competition, service options, and network access can influence how freight is priced and routed, which in turn affects demand for over-the-road capacity in some lanes and at some facilities.
The companies’ response signals they want the STB to keep the review on track and not grant delays requested by opponents. The next steps depend on how the STB addresses the dispute over the completeness of the application.