Updated July 19, 2016 - TRA Newswire
Updated with response from Texas Central
The Surface Transportation Board struck a blow to Texas Central Railway today in stating that the board does not have jurisdiction over the railway since it would operate entirely within the state of Texas and is not connected to the national rail network.
Texas Central had asked the Surf Board for a Petition of Exemption and Petition for Clarification, which were denied.
The anti-high speed rail group called Texans Against High Speed Rail posted on Facebook that the legal ruling could not have been better news for them. "This marks a major victory for (attorneys) Blake and Patrick’s legal efforts. More importantly, this is a devastating blow to Texas Central."
This means that all regulation of the high speed rail project between Dallas and Houston would be at the state level. Some rural legislators and city/council officials have been pusing to kill the project. The stand-alone high speed rail project is currently in the middle of a Environmental Impact Statement required by the federal government before it can proceed with construction.
Texas Central issued the following statement after the Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) July 18thruling: “The Surface Transportation Board clarified today that it does not have jurisdiction over the Texas high-speed rail project being privately developed by Texas Central connecting North Texas and Houston, and therefore no STB approval of the project is necessary prior to commencing construction."
The statement issued read that "Texas Central’s decision to seek clarification regarding the STB’s role followed precedent set by other rail projects. Without such clarification, regulatory uncertainty could have impacted Texas Central’s project timelines. However, Texas Central will study the STB decision before making any determination regarding actions in response to the ruling. The project continues to move forward with development activities.”
Additional stories:
http://www.chron.com/news/transportation/article/Federal-board-declines-to-oversee-bullet-train-8386426.php
http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/news/2016/07/19/surface-transportation-board-declines-jurisdiction.html
http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/memorial/news/brady-helps-win-first-round-in-federal-fight-over-texas/article_53be56f4-4d4f-11e6-aa9e-0fa9b1432f4e.html
Updated with response from Texas Central
The Surface Transportation Board struck a blow to Texas Central Railway today in stating that the board does not have jurisdiction over the railway since it would operate entirely within the state of Texas and is not connected to the national rail network.
Texas Central had asked the Surf Board for a Petition of Exemption and Petition for Clarification, which were denied.
The anti-high speed rail group called Texans Against High Speed Rail posted on Facebook that the legal ruling could not have been better news for them. "This marks a major victory for (attorneys) Blake and Patrick’s legal efforts. More importantly, this is a devastating blow to Texas Central."
This means that all regulation of the high speed rail project between Dallas and Houston would be at the state level. Some rural legislators and city/council officials have been pusing to kill the project. The stand-alone high speed rail project is currently in the middle of a Environmental Impact Statement required by the federal government before it can proceed with construction.
Texas Central issued the following statement after the Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) July 18thruling: “The Surface Transportation Board clarified today that it does not have jurisdiction over the Texas high-speed rail project being privately developed by Texas Central connecting North Texas and Houston, and therefore no STB approval of the project is necessary prior to commencing construction."
The statement issued read that "Texas Central’s decision to seek clarification regarding the STB’s role followed precedent set by other rail projects. Without such clarification, regulatory uncertainty could have impacted Texas Central’s project timelines. However, Texas Central will study the STB decision before making any determination regarding actions in response to the ruling. The project continues to move forward with development activities.”
Additional stories:
http://www.chron.com/news/transportation/article/Federal-board-declines-to-oversee-bullet-train-8386426.php
http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/news/2016/07/19/surface-transportation-board-declines-jurisdiction.html
http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/memorial/news/brady-helps-win-first-round-in-federal-fight-over-texas/article_53be56f4-4d4f-11e6-aa9e-0fa9b1432f4e.html