WASHINGTON, D.C. – January 9, 2020 – Association of American Railroads (AAR) President and CEO Ian Jefferies released the following statement regarding the Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ) proposed rule to comprehensively modernize environmental permitting processes for the first time since 1978.

“Updating and streamlining the permitting process is long overdue, and the freight rail industry applauds the Administration for taking this important step forward. Railroads agree that more can and must be done to expedite routine maintenance and other critical construction projects without compromising important environmental protections. We look forward to continued conversations with our partners in government to advance the NEPA modernization process.”

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For more information contact: AAR Media Relations at media@aar.org  or 202-639-2345.

About AAR: The Association of American Railroads (AAR) is the world’s leading railroad policy, research and technology organization focusing on the safety and productivity of rail carriers. AAR members include the major freight railroads of the U.S., Canada and Mexico, as well as Amtrak. Learn more at www.aar.org.

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