Murray Energy Corporation Requests Assistance from the Surface Transportation Board of the United States Due to Service Delays Caused by CSX Corporation
July 20, 2017 - Murray Energy Corporation announced today that it has requested the assistance of the Surface Transportation Board of the United States to resolve service issues and delays caused by CSX Corporation, due to CSX’s failure to adequately perform all of the obligations required by the Company’s arrangements with CSX, and by CSX’s monopolistic charter from the federal government. Indeed, CSX has caused or contributed to countless delays and cancellations of trains scheduled to originate from Murray Energy’s operations. Unfortunately, under the leadership of Mr. E. Hunter Harrison, the Chief Executive Officer of CSX, the performance of CSX has only gotten worse, to the detriment of our customers, our Companies, and our coal miners.
Mr. Robert E. Murray, the Chairman President, and Chief Executive Officer of Murray Energy stated that “For a number of years, we have repeatedly met with the leadership of CSX, at all levels, and clearly explained the severe impact of their lack of service on our Companies. We have further provided them with copies of our planned litigation, as caused by their lack of performance. Our pleas, however, have not been addressed, as CSX has not improved their service at our coal mines. We cannot sit idly by while CSX fails to provide agreed-to service, breaks their own charter from the federal government, and jeopardizes our Company’s existence.”
Mr. Murray continued, stating that “This situation has become absolutely intolerable and must be resolved immediately. We have filed this matter with the Surface Transportation Board in an effort to resolve this lack of service, to get CSX to abide by their own charter from our government, and to transport our coal as scheduled. Without action by the Surface Transportation Board, CSX will continue to cause immediate and irreparable harm to our customers, our Mines, and our employees.”
Mr. Murray also stated that “The Federal Government created CSX’s monopoly on these rail lines, and we believe it is now time to reverse this decision and introduce free market competition in the railroad industry. Clearly, the current system of regional monopolies, including the monopoly of CSX, is not working for the American people.”