Glenn English, Chairman of Consumers United for Rail Equity (CURE), a coalition of rail dependent shippers that includes the American Chemistry Council, said: "This new research provides critical data about a problem that is costing American companies billions of dollars and American workers tens of thousands of jobs. While these new findings focus on chemical and plastic shipments, the problem is just as dire for farmers, electric utilities, lumber and other manufacturers who depend on rail for shipping and who together make up a broad swath of the U.S. economy.

"Congress can fix this problem. Acting to guarantee competitive rail service, giving freight rail shippers the same antitrust protections relied on by all other U.S. industries to ensure competitive markets and ensuring the Surface Transportation Board has the tools to enforce the law would be enormous steps toward strengthening the U.S. economy, enhancing the competitiveness of American companies and creating good jobs here at home.

"Armed with the research released today, freight rail shippers will be working closely with members of Congress and the Obama Administration to enact these common sense reforms."

Source: CURE