2012-2851. Railroad Cost of Capital-2011

AGENCY:

Surface Transportation Board.

ACTION:

Notice of decision instituting a proceeding to determine the railroad industry's 2011 cost of capital.

SUMMARY:

The Board is instituting a proceeding to determine the railroad industry's cost of capital for 2011. The decision solicits comments on the following narrow issues: (1) The railroads' 2011 current cost of debt capital; (2) the railroads' 2011 current cost of preferred equity capital (if any); (3) the railroads' 2011 cost of common equity capital; and (4) the 2011 capital structure mix of the railroad industry on a market value basis. Comments should focus on the various cost of capital components listed above using the same methodology followed in Railroad Cost of Capital—2010, EP 558 (Sub-No. 14) (STB served Oct. 3, 2011).

DATES:

Notices of intent to participate are due by March 9, 2012. Statements of the railroads are due by March 30, 2012. Statements of other interested persons are due by April 19, 2012. Rebuttal statements by the railroads are due by May 9, 2012.

ADDRESSES:

Comments may be submitted either via the Board's e-filing system or in the traditional paper format. Any person using e-filing should comply with the instructions at the E-FILING link on the Board's Web site, at http://www.stb.dot.gov. Any person submitting a filing in the traditional paper format should send an original and 10 copies to: Surface Transportation Board, Attn: Docket No. EP 558 (Sub-No. 15), 395 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Pedro Ramirez at [phone]. Assistance for the hearing impaired is available through the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Board's decision is posted on the Board's Web site, http://www.stb.dot.gov. Copies of the decision may be purchased by contacting the Board's Office of Public Assistance, Governmental Affairs, and Compliance at [phone]. Assistance for the hearing impaired is available through FIRS at [phone].

This action will not significantly affect either the quality of the human environment of the conservation of energy resources.

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 10704(a).

Decided: February 2, 2012.

By the Board, Chairman Elliott, Vice Chairman Mulvey, and Commissioner Begeman.

Raina S. White,

Clearance Clerk.