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D.C. (NewsDakota.com) The U.S. Surface Transportation Board will begin requiring Canadian Pacific Railway  and BNSF Railway to publicly file their plans to resolve backlogs of grain cars and provide weekly status updates.

North Dakota Congressman Kevin Cramer says in the decision, STB cited reported impacts of rail service delays including “elevators running out of storage capacity, risk of stored grain spoiling, and penalties incurred by grain shippers for products that are not delivered on time,” Cramer added, “although the data submitted by both railroads indicates some initial progress toward reducing their grain car order backlogs and grain car delays, the Board remains very concerned about the limited time period until the next harvest, the large quantities of grain yet to be moved, and the railroads’ paths toward meeting their respective commitments.”

Cramer says, “While the STB acknowledges BNSF and CP have provided information on their long-term plans to improve service, there is a need for clear updates on what is being done in the near-term. I welcome the Board’s decision and am confident the rail companies will be forthcoming with the necessary information.”

The two companies are ordered to report by June 27 their plans for resolving the backlog of grain car orders, and begin issuing weekly status reports until the problem is resolved.