BISMARCK, N.D.—Bismarck-based Basin Electric Power Cooperative and Denver-based Western Fuels Association Inc. have won a rate case against BNSF Railway with the federal Surface Transportation Board.
The two companies filed the complaint in October 2004, after they said BNSF doubled the shipping rates for hauling coal to a Wyoming power plant owned by Basin. Western Fuels provides coal to the plant.
BNSF said its rates were reasonable.
The Surface Transportation Board has ordered BNSF to reimburse Basin and Western Fuels $100 million for overcharges from 2004 through 2008. BNSF also must lower its transportation rates by about 60 percent and keep them lowered through 2024. The STB says the total amount of rate relief and damages is about $345 million.
