Rep. Huffman Statement on Late Filing for Disastrous Coal Train

June 02, 2022

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) released the following statement regarding the North Coast Railroad Company’s late petition filed with the Federal Surface Transportation Board (STB) to ship millions of tons of coal from Utah, Wyoming, and Montana to Asia through the Port of Humboldt.

"As the STB was set to continue its consideration for the North Coast Rail Authority's railbank and the future of the Great Redwood Trail, a company that has been reported to have links to shadowy Wyoming coal interests came in after the buzzer to once again push a toxic coal train through the North Coast,” said Rep. Huffman. “Their late application should disqualify them for further consideration. If not, the coalition of community opposition and their lack of transparency certainly will. I will continue working with Rep. Thompson, State Senator Mike McGuire, and our many community and agency partners in ensuring this project doesn’t move any further.”

In May, Rep. Huffman questioned Surface Transportation Board Chair Martin Oberman about his views on board reauthorizations during a House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure hearing. Rep. Huffman’s line of questioning can be viewed here, and the full committee hearing can be viewed here. In September of 2021, Huffman and Rep. Mike Thompson (D- St. Helena)sent a letter to Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigiegurging him to deny federal funding for the coal train.