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and passage.The law set timelines for rate reviews to ensure the final rule is effective on January 29,2017,and the initial STB decides on relief cases in a more timely fashion;expanded reporting date is February 28,2017. voluntary arbitration procedures addressing rate and service dis- putes;authorized the STB to initiate investigations on matters • Docket No.EP 731,Notice of Proposed Rulemaking,Rules other than rate cases;and improved the STB's structure and Relating to Board-Initiated Investigations decision-making processes by expanding the board membership from three to five—which allows board members to talk with one another without prior public hearing notice. American Public Power Association Position APPA supports continued congressional oversight of the STB, Congressional action in 2016 mainly consisted of oversight of the implementation of S.808.Tom Heller,CEO of Missou particularly its implementation of the important reforms en ri River Energy Services(an APPA member),was invited to acted as part of the STB Reauthorization Act(PL 114-10).The testify before the Senate Commerce,Science, &Transportation Association also supports removing antitrust exemptions for the railroad industry and encourages the STB to take actions using Committee in August 2016 on implementation of the law.The its existing authorities that will assist rail-dependent shippers. Association and FRCA also lobbied Congress to appropriate more funds to the STB for important IT upgrades. American Public Power Association Contact Regulatory Action Amy Thomas,Government Relations Director,202-467-2934/ The Association makes its voice heard on regulatory issues at athomas@publicpower.org the STB via its membership in FRCA.Through FRCA,APPA is participating in several pending rulemakings,including:' The American Public Power Association is the voice of • Docket No.EP 704(Sub-No. 1),Notice of Proposed not-for-profit,community-owned utilities that power Rulemaking,Review of Commodity,Boxcar,and TOFC/ 2,000 towns and cities nationwide.We represent pub COFC Exemptions lic power before the federal government to protect the • Docket No.EP 711 (Sub-No.1),Reciprocal Switching interests of the more than 49 million people that public power utilities serve,and the 93,000 people they em- ■ Docket No.EP 724(Sub-No.4),Final Rule on Rail Service ploy.Our association advocates and advises on electricity Issues-Performance Data Reporting;Issued in November policy,technology,trends,training,and operations.Our 2016,the rule includes several suggestions raised by FRCA members strengthen their communities by providing and other shippers,including making permanent the interim superior service,engaging citizens,and instilling pride in weekly reporting requirements that have been in place since community-owned power. October 2014(a result of the 2013-2014 service crisis).This 1 Other than the final rule on data reporting,it is unknown when the STB will take additional actions on these matters. 36 PubUcPower.org 218