The three-member Surface Transportation Board now has Francis P. Mulvey serving as its vice chairman, under an annual rotation. He replaces Charles D. Nottingham in that role, the Journal of Commerce reported.
The STB is the economic regulator of railroads, and judges complaint cases involving disputes between carriers and their customers as well as rail-to-rail issues such as mergers or line sales.
Mulvey, a former Democratic staff director for the rail panel of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, has been on the board since May 2004.
Last March President Obama designated him as acting STB chairman, replacing Nottingham -- a Republican appointee -- in the chair. Mulvey held that post until Daniel R. Elliott became chairman in August.
Pending legislation approved by the Senate Commerce Committee would increase the STB size to five members, give it expanded powers and revamp some of its fees and procedures to allow customers more opportunity to challenge railroads over service or pricing issues.
(The preceding article by John D. Boyd appeared on the Web site www.joc.com on January 5, 2010.)
