This is a really important hearing examining different infrastructure, technologies, and other initiatives airports, stakeholders, and airlines are using to mitigate... carbon pollution and climate change.

the recent WHO numbers for climate change were in terms of the 'single biggest health threat facing humanity.'

But we shouldn't wait to act until we experience even more disastrous effects of climate change.

Unfortunately, the aviation industry's contribution to climate change has grown in recent years.

the totally dysfunctional Senate, in writing its version behind closed doors, left out that provision, among many others, that could potentially deal with climate change, since the bill was written by climate deniers.

That is total BS, to begin with.

Let me be crystal clear that if the STB doesn't move more quickly to rise to the occasion, this committee will legislate.

I urge the STB to incentivize the railroads to act like railroads, and not Wall Street cash cows.

Rail labor and shippers really haven't agreed on many things, but they both recommend that we do a better job of defining the common carrier obligation.

The evil ghost of Hunter Harrison lives on. The legacy of this man is disgusting.

Consolidation in the railroad industry has created a system of regional duopolies and the railroads understandable desire to maximize profits has come into conflict with railroads' common carrier obligation.

My goal is simple. I want freight rail companies to be successful, but that success should be defined by the amount of freight they move across the nation.

We are at a point of crisis, and we have to deal with that crisis meaningfully.

The rail system is broken, and it needs fixing. We need you to fix it, or we will.

I do believe that where existing rail lines can continue to be used for rail they should be, and where abandoned lines can be brought back into rail service in a way that makes economic sense and has public support, that should happen, too.

If you don't move decisively, and don't rise to this occasion, which is a looming crisis, this committee will legislate.

I strongly encourage the board to make the use of passenger rail a condition in the Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern merger.

I mean, yes, my State actually partnered with Union Pacific--I hope they are listening--to do more sidings between Eugene and Portland, where we have trains that can run faster than the freight track can handle, but it takes 3 hours or…

I want freight railroads to be successful. I do. But that success should be defined by the amount of freight they move across the Nation.

The Class Is finally acknowledge they have a service problem, but in statements made before us three months ago and your Board a month ago, they don't acknowledge that there is a fundamental problem with the industry as a result of Wall…

The facts are undeniable. Freight service in the United States of America--we used to have the best freight rail in the world--is abysmal.

We need the STB to do more to meet those mandates.

I have no higher priority as the Chairman than using the authority and jurisdiction of the Commission to help U.S.-based exporters access shipping services and reach overseas markets.

I have witnessed steadfast leadership of MARAD's Acting Administrator, Ms. Lucinda Lessley, during this time.

Yes, and provisions in both the House and Senate versions of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act (OSRA) will allow us to do so.